Eight days after the earthquake which hit northern Afghanistan, the relief operation launched to help the survivors remains dogged by difficulties.

The United Nations has said twenty helicopters are needed for aid deliveries and to evacuate the wounded, but only three or four are available.

Fuel shortages, bad weather and poor communications have added to the problems.

A UN spokesman said some companies and organisations in the area were trying to exploit the situation.

So far, food deliveries have been made to about one-third of the villages affected, and medical teams have been sent to areas where a sharp increase in disease has been reported.