Earthquake survivors in Afghanistan remain displaced due to landslide concerns

In the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck Afghanistan since August 31, over 2,200 people have lost their lives, and thousands more have been left injured and displaced. The affected region, known to be one of the world's most quake-prone countries, has seen a devastating impact on its communities, with many villages remaining cut off and inaccessible.

The earthquakes have caused significant trauma among children, who are among the worst affected. One such survivor, 12-year-old Sadiq, spent 11 hours trapped under rubble and felt like he was going to die. Adults too have endured unimaginable hardships, with stories of courage and resilience echoing throughout the affected areas.

Survivors are currently camped in open fields and along riverbanks without tents for shelter, as thousands of mud-and-stone houses have been levelled by the earthquakes. Farmer Shams-ur-Rahman lost six relatives in the disaster and is currently housing his family of nine in insufficient tents. His son walked down from the mountain without shoes during their displacement.

Fear of aftershocks causing rockfalls has led many survivors to refuse returning to their shattered villages. This fear is not unfounded, as aftershocks have continued to trigger landslides, leaving families caught between unstable mountains and swollen rivers. Gul Ahmad, 51, fears that even a simple rainfall could cause rocks to fall on the makeshift camps, preventing him from returning to his village.

Aid agencies have flown in food and supplies by helicopter, but help has been slow and patchy according to survivors. Humanitarian groups are concerned about the lack of adequate shelter, sanitation, and food, which could lead to the spread of disease and deepen poverty in the affected areas.

In response to the crisis, organisations such as Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe and Aktion Deutschland Hilft have been providing immediate aid and support to people affected by the earthquakes in Afghanistan. While these organisations focus on emergency relief, they are working to secure basic needs and support local livelihoods. However, long-term shelter solutions are less explicitly mentioned in the available information.

Shannon O'Hara, Head of Strategy and Coordination for OCHA Afghanistan, will brief virtually on the humanitarian response to the earthquakes at the United Nations. The briefing aims to shed light on the ongoing challenges and the need for continued support in the affected areas.

Amidst the devastation, there are calls for permanent housing from the government and the affected communities. Many survivors demand a solution that will provide them with the security and stability they desperately need to rebuild their lives. As the world watches, the people of Afghanistan face an uncertain future, but their resilience remains unshaken.