Afghanistan was once again rocked by a devastating earthquake on Wednesday, further worsening the emergency situation in the country. This new earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.3, struck western Afghanistan, just a few days after a first earthquake which caused the death of more than 2,000 people. As thousands of people find themselves homeless, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
Local and national officials have difficulty estimating the exact number of victims, but preliminary figures put more than 2,000 dead. UN estimates are slightly lower, with nearly 1,300 dead and nearly 500 missing, the majority of them women. But whatever the exact figure, there is no denying that the situation is tragic.
Emergency services are organizing to help the victims. Trucks filled with food, water and blankets reached devastated villages, where tents were pitched amid the ruins. However, providing shelter on a large scale represents a considerable challenge, especially as winter approaches. The Afghan Taliban authorities, who have governed the country since August 2021, will have to deal with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
Indeed, Afghanistan is already going through a serious humanitarian crisis, marked by the withdrawal of foreign aid and the deterioration of living conditions. Rural communities, already hard hit by persistent drought, now find themselves facing the total destruction of their homes. Most houses in Afghanistan are built of mud and wood, making them particularly vulnerable to earthquakes.
This new natural disaster highlights the urgency of the situation in Afghanistan and raises many questions about the country’s ability to deal with such crises. Reconstruction of disaster areas and guaranteeing shelter for all victims will require international mobilization and coordination between humanitarian actors and local authorities.
Alongside these relief efforts, it is also crucial to put in place prevention measures and awareness of seismic risks. The Afghan population must be informed of the measures to be taken in the event of an earthquake and more resilient construction measures must be put in place to reduce human losses.
In this time of unprecedented crisis, it is essential that the international community mobilizes to support Afghanistan and help the victims of this tragedy. It is time to put aside political differences and show solidarity with a country that has already suffered too much. Rebuilding Afghanistan will require concerted and sustained efforts from all actors involved.