Children face "further deadly threats" in earthquake-hit Afghanistan, Pakistan: UNICEF

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

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

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 Tuesday that the the major impact of the recent earthquake in Afghanistan was in the provinces of Kunar, Takhar, Badakshan and Nangarkhar, said Dujarric.

Citing authorities in Afghanistan, Dujaric said, "74 people have been reported killed, more than 250 people have been injured and some 4,000 houses damaged or destroyed."

"Over the border in Pakistan, the official death toll has risen to 228 people, with 1,600 injured and over 2,500 houses damaged," he said.

"The response is being led by the Pakistan authorities, and the UN is ready to provide assistance, if requested by the Government," he said. Enditem