The drama occurs while Afghanistan is already a catastrophic humanitarian situation, nourished by strong droughts in the year, which have particularly affected the remote and rural provinces like that of Badghis.
Two earthquakes of a Magnitude of 5.3 then from a Magnitude 4.9 , According to the American Seismological Institute (USGS), hit the Province of Badghis, in Western Afghanistan, Monday 17 January. At least 26 people were killed, most by the collapse of the roofs of their homes, according to a balance sheet provided in the evening by the local authorities.
The earthquake could have made other victims, said the Agence France-Press Baz Mohammad Sarwary, spokesman for the province of Badghis. The tragedy occurs while Afghanistan is already a catastrophic humanitarian situation, nourished by strong droughts in the year, which have particularly affected remote and rural provinces such as badghis.
The situation was aggravated by the return to power of the Taliban in August, giving rise to the suspension of massive international aid that financed nearly 80% of the country’s budget.
Afghanistan is frequently struck by earthquakes, especially in the mountainous chain of the Hindu Kush which is at the junction between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
These earthquakes can be particularly pest due to the low resistance of rural Afghan houses. In 2015, nearly 200 people had perished in the country as a result of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, which had even harder hit the neighboring Pakistan. Among the Afghan victims were then twelve young girls trampled in a crowded movement while trying to get out of their shiny school.