Children face 'deadly threats' in quake-hit Afghanistan: UNICEF

United Nations, Oct 28: The United Nations Children' s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday that the children in earthquake-hit areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan are facing "further deadly threats as extreme conditions and insecurity cut off communities from aid".

Nearly 200 people died, including 12 school girls, and over 1,000 were injured after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan's northeastern region, which also rattled people in Pakistan, India and Tajikistan, Xinhua reported.

Half of those affected were thought to be children, the UNICEF said in a statement.

Heavy rain and snow have been pounding the remote, mountainous areas affected by the quake for the past two days, it said, adding that communication is poor and access difficult due to the tough terrain and security operations.

"UNICEF in Afghanistan and Pakistan are working with the national governments and are prepared to deliver life-saving supplies to tens of thousands of affected children and their families," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric at Tuesday's briefing.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday that the the major impact of the recent earthquake in Afghanistan was in the provinces of Kunar, Takhar, Badakshan and Nangarkhar.

IANS