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June 24, 2022

Afghan Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 1,150; U.S. Urged to Unfreeze Afghan Assets
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Afghan officials say the death toll from Wednesday's earthquake has
risen to at least 1,150. Over 10,000 homes were destroyed or damaged in
the largest earthquake to hit Afghanistan in over two decades. At least
five more people died earlier today in a strong aftershock. Many Afghans
lost multiple relatives in the quake.
bq. Abdur Rahman: "The quake happened at night. I was not here myself,
but my brothers were here. That's my brother, and that one. They were
here. The quake suddenly happened at night. Our houses were destroyed.
Twelve people of our family were martyred. Two of the injured were my
brothers."
The International Red Cross is calling on nations to release
Afghanistan's foreign exchange reserves in the wake of the earthquake.
Last year the United States froze nearly $9.5 billion in assets
belonging to the Afghan central bank following the takeover by the
Taliban.


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