Journalists wounded in Balkh blast call for help

Journalists who were wounded in last week’s explosion in Mazar-e-Sharif city say they need help.

According to them, so far only the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee has offered help cover their treatment.

“Unfortunately, other institutions did not act in this regard and didn’t even send a message to heal the pain of journalists,” said Sajjad Musavi, a wounded journalist.

“My colleagues and I were wounded in the incident. I had a head surgery and I cannot hear out of my one ear,” said Jawad Darwesh, another wounded journalist.

Journalists also called for stepped up security measures to prevent such blasts.

“Unfortunately, no institution except the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee has offered support to any wounded journalist,” said Rohullah Rohani, a journalist in Balkh.

The Journalists Safety Committee said it has paid for the cost of basic medical treatment for some of the journalists.

“Twelve journalists had their eardrums ruptured following the blast. The committee is working to find resources for their surgery either in Mazar-e-Sharif or Kabul,” said Latif Sahak, head of Afghan Journalists Safety Committee in the northern zone.

One journalist was killed and 15 more were injured in the blast that targeted an event at Tebyan cultural center in Mazar-e-Sharif.