Several aid organizations are on their way to the Afghan area that was hit by a major earthquake on Monday. But offering help in Afghanistan is difficult. This is not only because the disaster area is difficult to reach, but also due to the political situation.
“The situation is worrying,” says a Red Cross spokesperson. The area is very vast and difficult to reach. “The help now consists mainly of helping searching for people under the rubble and bringing them to safety.”
According to the Taliban, at least eight hundred people were killed. About 1,800 people were also injured. It is difficult to get the actual death toll confirmed because it concerns remote areas.
Information from the country is scarce. Since the Taliban took over power in 2021, freedom of the press has been very limited. But according to aid organizations, the numbers will still increase.
The Red Cross reports that it will take a long time to locate everyone and to get clarity about the missing. “A huge area with many villages must be combed.” The earthquake took place in the night from Sunday to Monday. That made many people at home. “And many houses are weak and built in loam.”
Extra worries about women and girls
Care fears extra for the lives of women and girls. At a quake in Herat in 2023, a large majority of the victims were wife or child.
Now there are similar signals. “The earthquake took place in a very conservative region,” a spokesperson told NU.nl. “There it happens more often that women are later brought to hospitals or that they can wait until family can move them during the day.”
In addition, there are few female rescue workers, which means that women in the country are less quickly reached and treated. “This makes their situation extra vulnerable in the first crucial days after the disaster.”
First 48 hours are crucial
In the province of Kunar the death toll is highest. According to Save the Children, there are many children among the injured. But the precise size of the damage is not yet known. “At least three villages have been completely destroyed,” says a Red Cross spokesperson.
Save the Children is also active in the mountainous province. But a spokesperson says that much is still unclear. “Roads to the area are cut off and communication is difficult.” That is disadvantageous, because the first 48 hours after a disaster are crucial. “The faster we know where the greatest needs are, the more lives we can save,” says a spokesperson for Care Nederland.
Aftershocks complicate the rescue work and the supply of medical emergency aid, water and food. But Afghanistan has several challenges, Save the Children emphasizes. In addition to the consequences of earlier natural disasters, the country also has a humanitarian and an economic crisis. “This earthquake is on top of that. The country does not get the chance to recover.”
Several Aid Organizations Are On Their Way To The Afghan Area That was hit by a Severe Earthquake On Monday. But Providing Aid in Afghanistan is Difficult. This is not only because the disaster area is difficult to reach, but also because of the political situation.
“The Situation is Worrying,” Says a Spokesperson for the Red Cross. The Area is very fixed and difficult to reach. “The Aid Now Mainly consists of helping to search for people under the rubble and bringing them to safety.”
Accordance to the Taliban, at Least Eight Hundred People Have died. About 1,800 people were also injured. It is Difficult to Confirm the Actual Death Toll, AS It Concerns Remote Areas.
Information from the country is carce. Since the Taliban Tok Power in 2021, Press Freedom in the Country Has Been Very Limited. But accordance to Aid Organizations, The Numbers Will Increase.
The Red Cross Reports that it will take a long time to locate everyone and get Clarity about the missing. “A huge area with many villages needs to be searched.” The Earthquake occurred on the night from Sunday to Monday. As a result, many people were at home. “And many houses are weak and build or adobe.”
Extra groups about Women and Girls
Care Fears Extra For The Lives of Women and Girls. In An Earthquake in Herrat in 2023, a Large Majority of the Victims Were Women or Children.
There are similar signals now. “The Earthquake Took Place in A Very Conservative Region,” A Spokesperson Tells Nu.nl. “It happens more of there that women are tasks to hospitals later or that they are wait until family can move them duration the day.”
In Addition, there are FEW Female Rescue Workers, which Women that Women In The Country Are Reached and Treated Less Quickly. “This makes Their Situation Extra Vulnerable in the First Crucial Days After the Disaster.”
First 48 Hours Are Crucial
In Kunar Province, The Death Toll is The Highest. Accordance to Save the Children, Many Children are Among the Injured. But the exact extent of the damage is not Yet Known at this time. “At Least Three Villages Have Been Completely Destroyed,” Says a Spokesperson for the Red Cross.
Save the Children is also active in the Mountainous Province. But a spokesperson Says That Much is Still Unclear. “Roads to the area have leg cut and communication is diffress.” That is disadvantageous, because the first 48 hours after a disaster are crucial. “The Sooner we know where the greatest needs are, the more lives we can save,” Says a spokesperson for care Netherlands.
Aftershocks Complicate Rescue Work and the Supply of Emergency Medical Aid, Water and Food. But Afghanistan Has Several Challenges, Save the Children Emphasizes. In Addition to the Conthequences of Previous Natural Disasters, The Country is also struggling with a humanitarian and economic crisis. “This Earthquake is on top of that again. The country is not Given the Chance to Recover.”