Afghans forced to survive in tents after deadly earthquake destroys houses

With no concrete roof over their heads after a devastating earthquake jolted Afghanistan on Wednesday, Afghans in the remote Bermal district in the easterm province of Paktika are now living under the open skies. Some who are lucky have managed to make-shift tents.

There are stones, iron rods, debris , death and destruction as far as the eyes go.

Hungry children hold on to the food and water that has been delivered to them as aid while adults try to rebuild their lives one brick at a time.

Aid, however, did not come easy. Desperate rescuers battled against the clock and heavy rain Thursday to reach cut-off areas in eastern Afghanistan after a powerful earthquake killed at least 1,000 people and left thousands more homeless.

The earthquake struck areas that were already suffering the effects of heavy rain, causing rockfalls and mudslides that wiped out hamlets perched precariously on mountain slopes.

Also watch: Afghanistan earthquake: how and whether Taliban will allow the world to offer aid

Many foreign countries have pledged aid but till it reaches the remote areas, all Afghans living there have are hope and prayers.

(with AFP inputs)