KABUL: Thousands of Afghans who managed to survive a powerful earthquake, which claimed over 2,000 lives, are now facing a harsh winter without homes as rescuers race against time to locate survivors amidst the debris. The magnitude 6.3 quake, followed by powerful aftershocks, struck Herat province, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Volunteers have been working tirelessly with spades and pickaxes in the affected areas since the disaster, while others have been digging graves for the deceased. According to the United Nations, more than 12,000 people from approximately 1,700 families have been impacted. In 11 villages of the Zenda Jan district, “100 percent” of homes were obliterated.
Amidst this dire situation, Zareen, a resident of Nayeb Rafi village, expressed concerns about the makeshift aid tents not withstanding the winter storms. He highlighted the urgent need for government assistance to relocate survivors to safer places.
Earthquake Challenges for Afghans
Providing shelter on a large scale poses a significant challenge for Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, especially considering their complex relationship with international aid organizations. Many survivors have lost entire families and are left with nowhere to go. Discharged patients from hospitals are now homeless, adding to the already grim scenario.
Doctors Without Borders, operating in Herat city, stated that more than 340 patients discharged recently are refusing to leave the hospitals as they have no homes to return to. Amidst this crisis, humanitarian agencies stress the need for relief efforts to be conducted without discrimination. The recent earthquakes have exacerbated Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, compounding the challenges faced by the nation.
Afghanistan, situated in an earthquake-prone region, has seen numerous devastating earthquakes in the past. The aftermath of this recent disaster has left the nation grappling with not just the immediate loss but also the long-term challenges of rebuilding lives amidst ongoing hardships.
