As deadly earthquakes rocked western Herat province, residents of the province are living in tents on the roadsides, fearing the recurrence of natural disasters.
Living in tents has become difficult for these people as children have gotten sick with various diseases.
“It has been nine days since we moved here and those who can afford to have bought tents — those who cannot are living in the open,” said Atifa, a resident of Herat.
“We have one tent and three to four of us sleep outside and the rest of us sleep inside the tent, we are eight people in total,” said Abdul Mubin Jami, a resident of Herat.
Health officials at the provincial hospital of Herat province said most of the people have been suffering from trauma after the earthquakes took place.
Dozens of Herat citizens go to the hospital to get treatment because of anxiety and trauma.
“As most of the victims of the earthquake most likely have injuries, all the residents of Herat city are mentally affected,” said Qadim Muhammadi, a senior doctor in Herat’s provincial hospital.
In the meantime, the Director-General of the World Health Organization on X said that Herat city has turned into a city of tents.
The UN official ensured the residents of Herat that they will be provided with tents.
“Herat city has become a tent city, families are sleeping in open spaces in parks, in small tents, as they are afraid to be inside because of aftershocks and more earthquakes. The WHO Afghanistan team is supporting partners to set up health tents where people can get health care services.” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of World Health Organization.
Herat province was rocked by several earthquakes and aftershocks almost ten days ago which led to families fleeing their houses and living on streets in tents.
