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IOM helps Paktika rise from the rubble after deadly earthquake
Thousands of Afghans in Paktika province say they face an uncertain future and have no idea how their communities will rebuild their lives after last month’s deadly earthquake that killed over 1,000 people and destroyed an estimated 10,000 homes.
In the early hours of June 22, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the remote, mountainous region and while concerted efforts are being made by aid workers to help the survivors, their efforts are being hampered by the mountainous terrain and heavy rains.
IOM reported this week that the humanitarian community has mobilized funds and personnel for the response and that IOM teams were on the ground in the affected area following the earthquake, weathering aftershocks alongside the affected community.
Humanitarian actors are busy, the IOM reported and workers are meeting with community members to assess their needs, organizing the first emergency distributions and setting up tents, latrines and hand washing stations.
Trucks loaded with a variety of kits are also arriving in waves, having successfully navigated the remote mountains, riverbeds and roads that make the area particularly difficult to access.
Thousands of people are trying to get the basic items they need for immediate survival — food, water, health care and shelter.
“I was in my house asleep when it started shaking,” says Krushnal, a survivor from Barmal, still living with his four children on the site of their collapsed house.
“A piece of wall hit me, but I am not seriously injured. I saw bodies being pulled out of the rubble, injured people, and maybe dead people. I heard cries of pain everywhere I went,” he told IOM.
The majority of the fragile mud-brick houses in the area did not withstand the earthquake. While many currently lack the means to rebuild much of their community, the survivors have come together alongside humanitarian actors to plan for the recovery of the community.
A few kilometers from Gayan, IOM Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) staff hold counseling sessions with victims amidst the rubble. Three distinct groups are formed for the sessions: women, men and children.
Mobile clinics have also been operating in this mountainous area, which is located far from health centers. In addition, community members have identified psychological support as a key need, which has been included in the IOM earthquake response from the first day.
IOM reports that as of July 8, 140 trucks have successfully reached the impacted areas of Paktika and Khost provinces and some 30,000 emergency shelter and non-food item kits have been distributed to 5,600 families in need.
But now, according to the IOM, the focus has switched to post-disaster longer-term rebuilding of houses, and of lives.
IOM and other shelter actors are working together to support the communities to clear the rubble of the damaged homes and to build back their homes safely.
However, other public infrastructures will also need to be rehabilitated to ensure communities can return to normal. Water sources that have been contaminated must be treated and fixed to ensure access to safe and clean water again.
According to the IOM, repurposing of existing emergency funding enabled IOM to undertake a swift, immediate response to provide life-saving assistance to affected communities but now, longer-term funding from both humanitarian and development actors must be committed and made available immediately to ensure that houses and essential community infrastructure can be rebuilt before the harsh winter arrives in November.
Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met on Thursday with Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul. During the meeting, Ayyıldız invited the Minister of Industry and Commerce to participate in Turkey’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Industry, the meeting also emphasized the economic, trade, and historical relations between Kabul and Ankara, as well as the export of Afghan goods to Turkey.
The two sides discussed increasing trade volume between the two countries, strengthening economic relations, facilitating and enhancing commercial activities, cooperation in road transport along various routes, activating the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and regional cooperation.
Azizi, while thanking Turkey for inviting the Islamic Emirate to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, introduced the Ministry’s technical team to ensure better coordination and planning.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an international conference held annually in Turkey, aimed at examining global challenges and finding joint solutions through dialogue and diplomacy. It hosts representatives from more than 100 countries, including presidents, leaders, high-ranking officials, international organizations, analysts, and media from various countries.
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate, in a telephone conversation initiated by Mohammad Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, discussed regional developments, particularly the recent situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said in a statement that Hassan Akhund stated during the call that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s principled position is clear and that it believes in resolving issues through mutual understanding and cooperation.
Hassan Akhund added that during Eid al-Fitr, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar, the Islamic Emirate demonstrated its goodwill by respecting a pause in defensive operations.
He stated that violence benefits no party and that actions that increase tensions should be avoided, emphasizing that wisdom and rationality must guide efforts to resolve problems.
He also expressed concern over rising regional tensions following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also expressed concern about the regional situation and hoped that the temporary halt in hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan would continue, and that existing problems could be resolved through sincere negotiations and understanding.
He added that Malaysia aims to play a positive role in facilitating understanding between both parties.
Israel’s defence minister says that an Israeli air strike has killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ navy.
The killing was carried out “last night, in a precise and lethal operation” and targeted other “senior officers of the naval command”, said Israel Katz, in a video statement.
“The man who was directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz to shipping was blown up and eliminated,” he claimed.
Since the start of the joint US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, Israel has announced the assassination of several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Republic ‘s powerful security chief, Ali Larijani.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said there was no official Iranian confirmation yet of Tangsiri’s killing.
“But if it’s true it’s going to be another major blow for a country that has already experienced a lot of military commanders being killed” since the war began, he said.
The head of the Basij paramilitary forces, Brigadier General Gholamreza Soleimani, and Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib were also assassinated in Israeli attacks.
Moreover, in recent days, Israeli forces have carried out several strikes targeting the naval assets of Iran.
Last week, Israeli airstrikes hit several Iranian naval ships in the Caspian Sea, including ones equipped with missile systems, support vessels, and patrol craft.
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