Entire villages were flattened, bodies were trapped under collapsed houses and locals waited for help without even shovels to dig out bodies.Afghan men search for victims after an earthquake in Zenda Jan district in Herat province, of western Afghanistan, Oct. 8, 2023.
Saturday’s magnitude 6.3 earthquake hit a densely populated area near Herat. It was followed by strong aftershocks. With much of the world wary of dealing directly with the Taliban government and focused on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Afghanistan hasn’t received an immediate global response. Almost 36 hours after the first earthquake hit Herat province, there have been no planes of aid flying in, no specialists.
People injured in the quake on Saturday can’t get the treatment they need because of poor medical infrastructure so they are losing their lives. A lack of food, shelter and clean water are increasing the health risks among communities. The United Nations migration agency deployed four ambulances with doctors and psychosocial support counselors to the regional hospital. At least three mobile health teams were on their way to the Zenda Jan district, which is one of the worst-hit areas.