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Afghanistan’s defense ministry sends in rescue teams to quake-hit Herat
Afghanistan’s defense ministry has sent in rescue teams to Herat province to help find survivors still buried in the rubble of collapsed buildings after Saturday’s deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake and the string of strong aftershocks.
Early Sunday, the full picture of the carnage began to emerge as videos posted to social media showed villages using their bare hands to dig survivors out of the rubble.
Rescue teams have now arrived in some of the worst hit areas, which include Zinda Jan district, where most of the quakes were epicentered.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the acting first deputy prime minister, said on Sunday he will visit the affected area and assess the situation.
At an emergency meeting to organize aid for the victims, officials said the worst hit area was Zinda Jan district, where more than 3,000 houses were destroyed.
Zinda Jan also had the highest casualty toll, officials said.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has also deployed emergency response teams to the area, the organization said in a statement.
The IRC said it is closely monitoring the situation and is actively coordinating its response with multiple other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to assess the extent of the damage and provide assistance to those in need.
“The IRC's emergency response teams are mobilizing to provide immediate assistance, including medical care, and other essential services to the affected population. Our teams are working tirelessly to ensure that the most vulnerable individuals and communities receive the support they need during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Salma Ben Assia, Country Director for the IRC in Afghanistan said: "Our hearts go out to the people of Herat who have been affected by this devastating earthquake. The IRC urges the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Herat and support the ongoing relief efforts.
“We are committed to working alongside our partners and local authorities to provide immediate assistance and support to those affected. In times like these, unity and collaboration are crucial, and we are grateful for the coordination efforts with other NGOs to ensure a swift and effective response,” she said.
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders have also rushed to assist and set up five medical tents at the Herat Regional Hospital to accommodate the influx of injured patients. Hundreds of victims have already been treated at the hospital since yesterday early afternoon.
Iranian Red Crescent Society has also reportedly sent 15 volunteers of its Rapid Response team to Afghanistan following the deadly earthquake.
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US envoy says she held talks with American officials on supporting Afghan women
Karen Decker, the Chargé d'Affaires at the US Mission to Afghanistan, says several high-ranking US diplomats have assured her of the support of Afghan women and their efforts to help Afghans.
Decker said she held talks with top US officials, the Deputy Secretary of State, and Rina Amiri, special envoy for Afghan women, over the situation of Afghan women and girls, to strengthen human rights and to help Afghans.
She said these senior American diplomats said they will continue efforts to support Afghan women.
“I look forward to pursuing fruitful work with Deputy Secretary of State John Mark to protect America's national security interests, support Afghan women and girls, promote the human rights of all Afghans, and assist the Afghan people against a serious humanitarian crisis to continue my efforts,” said Decker.
Meanwhile, a number of women's rights activists have said that America should take effective steps to ensure women's rights in Afghanistan and discuss the issue with the Islamic Emirate.
Some experts, however, have stated that the efforts of the international community to convince the Afghan rulers to accept the fundamental rights of women in Afghanistan have been unsuccessful so far because the world does not have a clear mechanism for a permanent solution
to this problem.
One of the controversial issues between the IEA and the international community is the matter of women's rights.
However, the IEA has said it cannot accept the Western definition of women's rights and have repeatedly said women’s rights are ensured in accordance with Sharia.
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Turkey’s 77 hopes to win contract for cement plant in Jawzjan
Suleyman Ciliv, the head of Turkish construction company 77 has expressed hope that his company will secure the contract to run the Yatim Taq cement project in Jawzjan province.
Ciliv met with Afghanistan’s acting minister of mines and petroleum, Hedayatullah Badri, and said he hoped this would lead to the signing of an agreement between the two parties, the ministry said in a statement Thursday.
The ministry stated that Badri appreciated the activities of 77 Turkish company in the country and asked them to invest more in Afghanistan's talc, iron and copper mines.
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IEA to talk to Indian officials over visas for dried fruit traders
In his meeting with the traders, the official also called on neighboring countries to stop creating hurdles for Afghan traders, and rather provide necessary facilities for the growth of bilateral trade.
The Islamic Emirate will talk to Indian officials over the issue of visas for dried fruit traders, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Maulawi Abdul Kabir said on Wednesday.
In his meeting with the traders, the official also called on neighboring countries to stop creating hurdles for Afghan traders, and rather provide necessary facilities for the growth of bilateral trade.
He said that land would be allocated for dried fruit traders in accordance with the policy of the Islamic Emirate.
Earlier in the meeting, the traders called for help with the India visa process.
They also said that they are suffering from high taxes that Pakistan has imposed on Afghan dried fruits.
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