Herat, the historic city in northwest Afghanistan, was rocked by a new earthquake that caused panic among residents. This earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.3, occurred just a week after a previous devastating earthquake which left more than a thousand victims.
The tremors this Sunday morning caused additional destruction and caused the death of one person, as well as dozens of injuries. Residents, already traumatized by the previous earthquake, spent the night outside for fear of further tremors.
In the Herat region, several rural villages were destroyed, bringing the toll of destruction to a catastrophic level. Authorities also had to release hundreds of prisoners as prisons were at risk of collapsing due to the earthquake.
This new disaster adds to the humanitarian crisis already present in Afghanistan. With the withdrawal of foreign aid following the return of the Taliban to power, many Afghans find themselves homeless and face increasingly precarious living conditions.
Providing shelter in large quantities is becoming a challenge for Taliban authorities, especially as relations with international aid organizations are strained. As winter approaches, many people are at risk of suffering from the cold and the lack of adequate housing.
Afghanistan is a high seismic risk area due to its geographic position, particularly near the Hindu Kush mountain range where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet. Earthquakes are therefore frequent and have devastating consequences for the local population.
Faced with this critical situation, it is important that the international community mobilizes to provide emergency aid to the populations affected by the earthquakes in Afghanistan. It is also crucial to work on prevention and preparedness measures for natural disasters in order to better protect the region’s inhabitants.
In conclusion, the recent earthquakes in Herat, Afghanistan have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis already present in the country. The destruction and loss of life created a sense of panic and urgency among residents. It is essential that emergency aid measures are put in place to support these vulnerable populations and rebuild devastated areas.