MANILA, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said on Wednesday that it has approved a 3-million-U.S.-dollar grant to support the humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan following an earthquake that struck Nangarhar province in the country's east on Aug. 31, causing widespread loss of life and homes.

According to the bank, the emergency grant will deliver life-saving food assistance, either in-kind or through cash-based transfers, to approximately 60,000 people.

The grant will come from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund, which provides fast-tracked grants to ADB's developing member countries for life-saving purposes in the immediate aftermath of major disasters triggered by a natural hazard.

The ADB said it was considering providing additional support to earthquake-affected people through its partners, utilizing funds from its ongoing and planned projects in the country. ■