Highlights:
- Two Massive Quakes: Dual 6.3-magnitude earthquakes rocked western Afghanistan, affecting not only Afghanistan but also Turkmenistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan.
- Death Toll Variances: Reports of the casualties vary across sources, but the count is expected to rise as rescue operations intensify.
- Aftershocks Unsettled the Region: WHO confirms at least eight significant aftershocks, with some reaching magnitudes of 5.5, 6.3, and 5.9.
- Economic Struggles: Amidst the Taliban’s takeover and a deteriorating economy, the nation grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster.
- Humanitarian Crisis: Even before the earthquakes, a staggering 29 million Afghans were already in dire need of assistance due to flooding and political instability.
Western Afghanistan woke up to a terrifying reality this Saturday when it was hit by two 6.3-magnitude earthquakes. The tremors did not limit their wrath to Afghanistan alone, they were felt across neighboring countries like Turkmenistan, Iran, and Uzbekistan.
Differing Reports, Rising Casualties
While a Taliban spokesperson tweeted a death toll of 2,053, reports from different media outlets vary, with numbers ranging from 800 to over 2,400 deaths. The Ministry of Disasters reported 9,240 injured and significant damage to infrastructure, with over 1,320 houses affected. What’s consistent across all reports, however, is the grim acknowledgment that the number of casualties will likely increase.
A Ground Constantly Trembling
The calamity didn’t end with the major quakes. The World Health Organization reported a series of aftershocks, notably in the Herat Province, the quake’s epicenter. The people faced tremors with magnitudes as high as 5.9 within hours of the primary earthquakes.
A Call for Immediate Action
Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs, underscored the urgency of the situation, urging officials to promptly rally resources to help the affected population.
Past Quakes and Present Struggles
This isn’t the first time Afghanistan has faced the wrath of Mother Nature. Last June, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake claimed over 1,000 lives. And only recently, a 6.5 magnitude tremor took 13 lives in the province of Badakhshan.
The nation’s struggles are not limited to natural disasters. Since the Taliban’s takeover last August, Afghanistan’s economic and healthcare sectors have been in turmoil. The healthcare system, already crippled and heavily reliant on foreign aid, now faces the enormous task of tending to thousands of earthquake victims.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Salma Ben Assia, the International Rescue Committee Afghanistan director, sheds light on the existing crisis: before the earthquake, an alarming 29 million Afghans already required humanitarian assistance. This latest disaster only exacerbates the situation, especially with winter looming.
In a heartfelt statement, Assia emphasized the vulnerability of displaced communities, especially women and children, who face heightened risks of exploitation and abuse.
Final Thoughts
Afghanistan, a nation already grappling with political, economic, and natural crises, now faces another test of its resilience. The international community’s support will be paramount in ensuring the welfare and recovery of its people.
