11-10-2023 (HERAT) Rescue operations in Afghanistan’s devastated northwest have been scaled back as the chances of finding survivors diminish 72 hours after one of the deadliest earthquakes in the world. Villagers in the area are holding mass funerals for their deceased loved ones. The Taliban-run government reported that at least 2,400 people were killed and over 2,000 injured in the multiple earthquakes that struck the northwest of Herat city, leveling thousands of homes. The majority of the casualties were women and children, according to the World Health Organisation.
Decades of war have left Afghanistan’s infrastructure in ruins, hindering relief and rescue efforts. Furthermore, the country has experienced a scarcity of foreign aid since the Taliban assumed power. Janan Sayeeq, spokesperson for the Disaster Management Ministry, stated that the rescue operation is nearing completion, although efforts are ongoing in some villages.
The United Nations Humanitarian Office reported on Tuesday that the earthquakes resulted in 1,294 deaths and 1,688 injuries, with 485 people missing in the Zinda Jan district alone. The assessment of four other affected districts is still underway. Sayeeq mentioned that a final casualty toll will be released soon.
Afghanistan, surrounded by mountains, has a history of powerful earthquakes, particularly in the rugged Hindu Kush region along the Pakistan border. The recent 6.3 magnitude temblors on Saturday were among the deadliest in the world this year, surpassing the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, which claimed the lives of approximately 50,000 people. Afghan officials reported that the earthquakes flattened buildings in about 20 villages in the northwest. The UN report indicated that all homes in Zinda Jan were completely destroyed, along with six schools.
Siah Aab, one of the affected villages in the district, lost at least 300 residents, according to locals. Funerals were held for the deceased, who were wrapped in blankets and laid to rest in freshly dug graves. Taj Mohammad, a 60-year-old villager, expressed his grief, stating that he lost his four daughters-in-law, four sons, and grandchildren. Eleven members of his family perished in the disaster.
The UN’s humanitarian office has pledged $5 million in assistance for the earthquake response, but immediate material support has only come from a few countries. Afghanistan’s healthcare system, heavily dependent on foreign aid, has suffered severe cuts since the Taliban takeover, with a significant reduction in international assistance. Survivors not only require medical and food aid but also desperately need shelter as temperatures drop, according to the head of the World Health Organization’s emergency response.
Abdul Sattar, a grave digger in Siah Aab, emphasized the urgent need for support for the survivors. He stated that their first hope is God, followed by assistance from other countries. Sattar and others have already dug more than 500 graves, highlighting the magnitude of the tragedy.
