Resilience and recovery: 100 days after the Herat earthquakes
22 January 2024 – More than 100 days after the earthquakes in Herat province in western Afghanistan, many survivors are still living in makeshift tents and temporary shelters. Amid the harsh winter conditions, their situation remains precarious.
To date, WHO and 20 health partners have provided health services to 102 655 people across the Gulran, Injil, Kohsan, Kushk and Zinda Jan districts and in the city of Herat.
WHO continues to support 8 health centres in the earthquake-affected areas to provide critical health services. These include outpatient, nutrition, midwifery and vaccination services, as well as psychosocial support and medication.
The support by WHO and partners has been crucial in protecting the health of the affected people, especially women and children, and in providing health care to those in need.
To help communities protect themselves from infectious diseases, a mass awareness campaign was run across the earthquake-affected areas. This reached 33 587 people, including 16 275 women.
The series of earthquakes and aftershocks that struck Herat province from 7 to 15 October 2023 affected more than 275 000 people across 6 districts. Overall, 1482 deaths and 2100 injuries were reported. More than 10 000 homes were destroyed, and 40 health facilities were damaged.
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From 7 to 15 October 2023, a series of earthquakes and aftershocks struck Herat province in western Afghanistan, affecting more than 275 000 people across 6 districts. Overall, 1482 deaths and 2100 injuries were reported. More than 10 000 homes were destroyed, and 40 health facilities were damaged. Photo credit: WHO/Zakarya Safari
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WHO and 20 health partners have provided health services to 102 655 people across the Gulran, Injil, Kohsan, Kushk and Zinda Jan districts and in the city of Herat. Photo credit: WHO/Modaser Islami
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“I have been on the ground since the first moments of the earthquakes in Herat to ensure delivery of timely, life-saving health services to the affected people.” – Dr Anasulhaq Rahimi, WHO Health Emergencies Programme focal point in Herat province Photo credit: WHO/ Zakarya Safari
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“We are working every day since the earthquakes in Herat to investigate outbreak-prone diseases to ensure preparedness and response to outbreaks in earthquake-affected areas.” – Dr Abdul Jawad Yosufi, Surveillance Support Team leader in Herat province Photo credit: WHO/Zakarya Safari
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“I feel happy to be among the affected communities. They come to me to share their problems and concerns. I am doing my best to return the life of the affected women to normal through psychosocial support.” – Dr Qadria Tabi, psychosocial support expert Photo credit: WHO/Zakarya Safari
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“With support from the WHO-led Health Cluster, I tried to ensure that the health response to Herat earthquakes is well-coordinated at the regional level and that good quality health services are delivered to affected people on time.” – Dr Nazar Mohammad Alami, Regional Health Cluster Coordinator Photo credit: WHO/Zakarya Safari
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“I lost many of my relatives and friends. We would play together. I feel lonely most of the times now. I try to keep myself busy with my bicycle.” – Abdul Sami, a 13-year-old resident of Kushkak village Photo credit: WHO/Modaser Islami
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“The first earthquake took everything from us. I lost my home. I lost my shop. Our shop vanished under the debris. My family had to start everything from zero.” – 11-year-old Ajmal, from Kushkak village Photo credit: WHO/Modaser Islami
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“The health services have been very useful to our community. Many of us didn’t have the means to go the city for treatment. Without the support of different organizations, life would have been much more difficult for us.” – Mohammad Nasim Nusrat from Zinda Jan district Photo credit: WHO/Modaser Islami
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“A new clinic is now functional in our village. We are very happy that this health facility is nearby. I can even go there by myself.” – 21-year-old Shokria from Injil district Photo credit: WHO/Zakarya Safari
