Aid distribution to quake-affected people should be transparent

The powerful earthquake which hit some districts of western Herat province, left another biggest tragedy after the deadly ones in two of the country’s southern provinces, last year. Tens of people, mostly women and children have been killed and tens of others wounded in the natural disaster, even a district (Zinda Jan) has been destroyed completely. Tens of bodies are still reportedly under the wreckage. Most of the people have lost all members of their families in the earthquake. The heartbreaking incident drew the attention of charity organizations inside and outside the country. People of different strata, around the country, announced support and cooperation for the affected people. The Islamic Emirate appointed a committee soon after the incident to investigate and assist the victims. The country’s Ministry of Economy prioritized the issue and vowed to address the situation of the earthquake-affected people in the province. Acting Minister of Economy Din Mohammad Hanif said that efforts were underway to convince other organizations to provide aid to the affected people. The coordinating department of non-government organizations also urged national and international organizations to provide emergency support such as water, tents, blankets and other assistance to the vulnerable people as soon as possible. Under the tough conditions, as the aid organization required, women aid workers should also be allowed to deliver assistance to the affected women and girls in the quakeaffected areas, where male workers are not allowed. But, the most important thing is that the process of aid distribution should be transparent and all victims should be covered. Likewise, both the affected people and the area residents should cooperate with the aid suppliers and aid distribution teams to transparently assist the victims. The Islamic Emirate’s related organs should also consider appropriate areas to townships for survivors of the incident and draw the attention of the aid organizations to assist them until they can resume their ordinary lives.