Key Points
- Community groups are seeking help for Afghans reeling in the wake of two devastating earthquakes.
- The 6.3 magnitude quakes have so far claimed more than 2,400 lives.
- Afghanistan's ambassador to Australia says the crisis is exacerbating the already dire living conditions of people.
The Taliban administration reports that on Saturday, killing more than 2,400 and leaving thousands more injured.
Janan Sayeeq, spokesman for the Ministry of Disaster Management, said in addition to the casualities, 1,320 houses had been damaged or destroyed.
The 6.3 magnitude quakes and aftershocks are the deadliest to strike Afghanistan in the past two decades.
‘Duty of care is a moral responsibility’
Khalid Janbaz is the founder of Australia-based registered charitable organisation, Helping Needy Afghans (HNA), which provides assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
Mr Janbaz stated that the earthquakes and aftershocks had destroyed several villages and that “people are facing homelessness”.
This was why members of the Afghan community in Australia needed to raise funds and support those affected by the recent earthquakes, he said.
“It is the core duty of Afghan community members in Australia to think of their countrymen and assist them,” he said.
“It is time to be useful, to be honourable and to be compassionate by donating to the cause and making a difference. They [Afghan community members] should remember that even one dollar can be helpful.”
Khalid Janbaz is the founder of Australia-based registered charitable organisation, Helping Needy Afghans (HNA) Credit: Khalid Janbaz
He also called on the Australian government and international community to assist victims and their families.
He added that if the Australian government could not provide direct support, they could coordinate their assistance through Australian-based registered organisations actively working inside Afghanistan.
“My expectation from the Australian government is simple. Australia as a member of the United Nations has the duty to assist humanitarian relief emergencies due to natural disasters,” he said.
“The international community also has to roll up their sleeves to contribute to this humanitarian mission: Human beings consist of one body and they are one soul.
“A nation is in pain and they should not be witnessing their suffering, they should ignore and (stamp out) politics when there is a humanitarian tragedy hurting a nation.”
Afghanistan has been hit by two deadly earthquakes. Credit: Supplied
‘Most of casualties are women and children’
Adelaide-based Afghan filmmaker, Fahim Hashimi, says he has been in contact with his relatives and friends in the western province of Herat and that people there are in a “critical and terrible condition”.
Mr Hashimi told SBS Pashto that he had received calls from individuals who wanted to help. However, he insisted that assistance for those affected needed to be provided on a “medium to long-term” basis.
“I have been receiving a lot of private calls from individuals who want to help, but I haven’t seen a group or community which (has) started fundraising and I am keen to see this,” he said
“We have been trying to create an account, especially for those affected by the earthquake in Herat, and then deliver 100 per cent of the collected funds to affected people in Herat province.
“In the short term, they do not need food and water [it has already been delivered], but in the medium to long term, I think it is very necessary to assist them because the people have lost everything, including their homes.”
Adelaide-based Afghan filmmaker, Fahim Hashimi. Credit: Fahim Hashimi
He said that Australia, as a developed country, must help the people of Afghanistan, particularly in the aftermath of critical situations such as earthquakes.
“The videos we’ve received show women who have lost three or four of their children becoming distraught and ... how the grief is affecting them,” he said.
“As the issue of wellness is important here [in Australia], it is vital that the Australian government helps [affected women] in this area.”
‘Crisis after crises’
Afghanistan’s ambassador in exile for Australia, Wahidullah Waissi, says it is likely that the death toll will rise and that the disaster has already aggravated the “dire humanitarian situation” in Afghanistan.
“Numerous homes were destroyed, forcing the affected individuals, including women, children, and the elderly, to spend nights outdoors, exposed to the uncertainties of their environment,” he said.
“It is a crisis after crises for Afghan people. The Taliban's ban on female workers led many international organisations and local NGOs to cease their operations in large parts of the country. This lack of immediate and adequate support contributed to a higher death toll.
“The Taliban continued their practice of gender apartheid even on the day of the earthquake. Due to their regulations, it is challenging for girls and women to leave their homes even in the face of natural disasters. As a result, the number of female casualties in the Herat earthquake was disproportionately higher than that of men.”
Afghanistan’s ambassador in exile for Australia, Wahidullah Waissi. Credit: Wahid Waissi
“Australia has been notably generous in supporting the Afghan people over the past two decades. Australia consistently provides annual humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan,” Mr Waissi said.
“We urge the Australian government to continue its support by offering shelter, medical supplies, food, clean water, healthcare services, and resources for search and rescue operations through established organisations on the ground.
“Local NGOs and established international organisations on the ground are there to direct the funds and assistance to local people. At least this was the practice in last year’s Paktia earthquake.”
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