The European Union has announced that it will be allocating €1 million in aid to Afghanistan, following an earthquake that ravaged the country on Wednesday, leaving over 1,000 Afghans dead. 

“Our trusted humanitarian partners will deliver the aid to those most affected. The EU stands ready to provide further assistance,” European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said in a statement on Thursday.  

The funding will be carried out by active humanitarian groups in the country, including non-governmental organisations and the United Nations.

The allotment will be used to address the “most immediate needs” of Afghans, such as medical assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene services, shelter, and protection services.

A 5.9-magnitude quake struck about 160km southeast of Kabul, in arid mountains dotted with small settlements near the border with Pakistan on Wednesday. The earthquake left over 1,000 people dead and 1,500 injured, and more than 3,000 houses were destroyed.