Herat's Catastrophe: Earthquakes Deepen Afghanistan's Healthcare Crisis

Abstract

In October 2023, Herat Province in Afghanistan was devastated by three earthquakes, resulting in 1,480 fatalities and 1,950 injuries, affecting approximately 154,000 people. The destruction included over 21,300 buildings, including 40 healthcare facilities, intensifying an existing humanitarian crisis under Taliban rule since August 2021. A comprehensive and coordinated response is vital for sustainable recovery and resilience, transcending political barriers to address the immediate and long-term needs of the Afghan population.