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

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.

Rising From the Rubble: Air Quality Concerns in Post-Earthquake Afghanistan.

This position paper highlights the dire impacts of environmental and household air pollution, which were responsible for 6.7 million deaths globally in 2019. These deaths occurred predominantly in low- and middle-income countries, with Afghanistan reporting the highest age-adjusted mortality rate.

Earthquakes and Taliban Decrees: The Plight of Afghan Women and Children.

Following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, Afghanistan confronts compounded challenges from both seismic political shifts and catastrophic natural events. Earthquakes in Khost and Herat provinces have resulted in thousands of casualties, with the majority being women and children, highlighting structural vulnerabilities of Afghan homes made from sun-dried bricks. Concurrently, the Taliban's restriction on women's participation in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has strained essential health and aid services.

Health Challenges After a Ban on Women Working in Non-governmental Organizations in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's prohibition of women working in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has severely impacted essential health services in Afghanistan since its enactment in late 2022. This ban has led to the suspension of numerous health and nutrition teams, reduced counseling services, and closure of safe spaces for women and girls. The significant contribution of women in the healthcare sector is evidenced by their presence in various NGOs, with their absence causing a critical shortage of female health personnel.