“While major aftershocks have passed or mainly passed, Women in affected areas face a long -term disaster without more urgent assistanceSaid Susan Ferguson, United Nations Special representative in Afghanistan.
A saving woman supported by the United Nations agency described “Balage” along the mountains, “dodging the rocks that fall every time there was a replica”Ferguson told journalists in Geneva. “Another woman who joined these teams, once again with our support,” said that there was no other channel for women to share their needs and their concerns because they are linked to talking to men. »»
Run away with nothing
In addition to two weeks since an earthquake of shallow shameless magnitude hit eastern AfghanistanRescuers have fought extremely difficult grounds – often on foot – to reach the most remote communities in the province of Kunar.
At least 2,200 people were killed while houses built on steep hills collapsed on each other when the earthquake occurred around midnight on August 31.
After meeting surviving women living in a basic tent in the Chawkay district in the central province of Kunar, Ms. Ferguson said it was clear that they would soon need a stronger shelter, while temperatures were starting to drop.
“” These women had fled their village in the middle of the night when the earthquake struck, walking for hours to find a temporary shelter“She said.
“They told me that they had lost their loved ones, many still buried in the rubble. They lost their house; They have lost their livelihoods and their source of income. As a woman said to me, “Now we have nothing. »»
Prohibition of workers
The humanitarian response to the disaster was hampered by Taliban leaders Prohibit staff members and Afghan entrepreneurs from entering the UN compounds in the capitalKabul, in force since September 7.
“The ban has an impact on us because our female staff are not allowed to come to the office to work,” said the representative of UN women.
“However, women and women staff in humanitarian response are still able to operate in the sites affected by the earthquake. And this is really essential and was actually recognized as essential. ”
Women and girls represented more than half of people killed and injured during the disaster. They also represent 60% of missing people, while many survivors live in tents or outdoors, as evidenced by the United Nations evaluation teams.
Cultural abyss
Providing health care to tragedy survivors remains a priority – as is the sufficient research of women to do this work, in accordance with culturally accepted practices. “What I have heard of health workers and certain women was that there was a particular area in the area affected by the earthquake where there were cultural norms which meant that The women themselves did not want men to touch them and that men did not want to touch women either while they were trying to save them“Said Ms. Ferguson.
The destruction of basic infrastructure has increased the threat of violence against women and girls when they are forced to walk further in search of a bathroom or bringing water, exposing them to the risk of violence and terrestrial mines.
“In daily life, in this cultural context, these women are already faced with a difficult battle every day to survive and support their families,” said Ferguson. “Now, in disturbance and chaos after the earthquake, these women will exponentially find more difficult to feed their children and find a safe place to stay.”
Satellite images have revealed that more than 649,000 tonnes of debris – equivalent to 40,500 trucks – must still be erased. According to the United Nations Development Program (Predict) who analyzed the data at least 23,000 people may have been forced from their home.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
