Another quake hits Afghanistan

The region is still recovering from the last quake

Another powerful earthquake has hit a remote region of northern Afghanistan devastated by a major tremor late last month.

The United Nations says nearly 30 people have been killed and more than 100 others injured.

But some reports said the death toll could be much higher.

Foreign security forces are backing the relief effort

Most victims lived in the village of Doabi, close to the town of Nahrin in Baghlan province which was devastated by a quake registering 6.1 on the Richter scale late last month, killing at least 1,000 people.

"Twenty-seven people died and 120 were injured", UN spokeswoman Rebecca Richards told AFP news agency.

The latest quake brought down more buildings.

This is the third large earth tremor to hit northern Afghanistan this year.

Casualties appear to be less extensive in the latest tremor because most of the local population is still living out in the open or in tents.

Remote region

Tens of thousands were made homeless by last month's earthquake, which wiped out whole villages in Baghlan province.

Tens of thousands are still homeless

Most of the buildings in this poor and remote region are made of mud, and they offer little resistance when the earth begins to shake.

A massive relief effort is still under way after the last tremor, but has been hampered by poor weather in this remote and inaccessible region.

Freezing rain was reported to have turned dirt roads into mud and threatening to prevent crucial helicopter deliveries of food and other basics.

Relief efforts were also disrupted by landmines and aftershocks.

Thousands of people are still living in camps outside the market town of Nahrin.

Military aid

However, a convoy of international peacekeepers has arrived in Nahrin with medical supplies.

The interim Afghan government, the United Nations, charities and foreign military forces are all involved in relief efforts.

US and British helicopters have ferried more than 90,000 kilogrammes of aid to the town, including rice beans, wheat, water, blankets, tents and medical supplies.