Imagine waking up to the ground shaking violently beneath you, the walls of your home crumbling around you. That's the reality facing thousands of Afghans after a devastating earthquake struck northern Afghanistan. But the nightmare doesn't end there. Now, these survivors are battling bitter cold and relentless rain, desperately trying to salvage what little they have left from the ruins.
Following the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit just before 1 a.m. local time on Monday, with its epicenter located 22 kilometers (14 miles) west-southwest of Khulm in Samangan province, families have been left exposed to the elements. As of Tuesday afternoon, the official death toll had climbed to 27, with a staggering 956 people injured, according to Public Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman. But the numbers only tell a fraction of the story. The true cost is measured in shattered lives, lost homes, and a desperate fight for survival against the unforgiving forces of nature.
The earthquake didn't just target homes; it also struck at the heart of Afghanistan's cultural heritage. The iconic Blue Mosque in Mazar-e-Sharif, a site revered throughout the country, sustained significant damage. Its minaret is badly damaged, and bricks and tiles have fallen from the walls. "The Holy Shrine is a valuable monument of Islamic values and the history of the Islamic era ... (and) is in dire need of repair and restoration," lamented Mahmoodullah Zarar, Head of Information and Culture of Balkh Province, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. Video footage shows the extent of the damage, with crumbled brickwork and decorative tiles scattered across the ground. The Bagh-e Jehan Nama Palace, a 19th-century landmark in Samangan province, also suffered extensive damage, with a surrounding wall and tower collapsing. Firozuddin Munib, Samangan province’s Head of Information and Culture, emphasized the urgency of restoration, saying, “The restoration of this palace is very important because winter is coming and the area is cold, and it is raining, which may cause further damage.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that focusing on the restoration of historical sites while people are suffering is a misplaced priority. Shouldn't the immediate focus be on providing shelter, food, and medical care to the survivors? What do you think? Is it possible to address both needs simultaneously, or should one take precedence over the other?
The situation on the ground is dire. Asadullah Samangani, a local resident of Khulm, described the terror of aftershocks and the misery of spending a freezing night in the open. "People are still scared because of last night’s earthquake because small tremors were felt during the day," he said. "We spent the night in the open ground last night, the weather was very cold, we couldn’t sleep, we feel like there will be another earthquake now." While authorities have provided some tents and basic necessities, many homes are completely destroyed, leaving families exposed and vulnerable. "Our children were all sick in the morning because we had spent the night in the cold, and all the household items were under the rubble," Samangani added, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced by survivors. The lack of sanitation and privacy is particularly acute for women.
And this is the part most people miss... Afghanistan's already fragile infrastructure and economy make it incredibly difficult to respond effectively to natural disasters. The World Health Organization reported partial damage to several health facilities, and the collapse of the Samangan Provincial Hospital's laboratory, which destroyed critical medical equipment. Impoverished Afghanistan struggles to cope, especially in remote areas where buildings are often poorly constructed from mud bricks and wood.
This recent earthquake is a stark reminder of Afghanistan's vulnerability. In August, a quake in eastern Afghanistan claimed the lives of over 2,200 people. How can the international community better support Afghanistan in preparing for and responding to these devastating events? What long-term solutions can be implemented to improve building standards and disaster preparedness in the region? Share your thoughts and concerns in the comments below. Your voice matters.
