Injured Women and Girls Face Dire Lack of Medical Care Amid Afghanistan Earthquake

Strategic Insights -

A devastating 6-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan's eastern provinces on Sunday, killing over 1,400 people, injuring at least 3,124, and destroying more than 5,400 houses. News agencies and aid organizations have predominantly shown men among the injured, while women and girls are largely absent from the coverage. Taliban restrictions and cultural barriers have left many women without access to medical care. Activists and local sources report that female doctors are not only scarce but also prohibited from helping by the Taliban, citing the need for male family members' permission.

Key Takeaways:

  • Taliban restrictions and cultural barriers have left many injured women without access to medical care, as male family members refuse to allow female caregivers to treat them.
  • Local sources in Kunar and Nangarhar reported a severe shortage of female doctors in medical centers, complicating the treatment of injured women.
  • Zahra Haghparast, a dentist, reported that several injured pregnant women died due to the lack of female doctors, with many more feared trapped under the rubble.
  • Taliban policies have severely restricted the work of female doctors, preventing them from helping in critical situations.
  • The Afghan Red Crescent has hardly any female doctors available to provide emergency relief.
  • The August 31 earthquake has further worsened an already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, with 64% of the population living in poverty and 50% dependent on humanitarian aid for survival.

Statistics:

  • 1,400+ people killed in the 6-magnitude earthquake
  • 3,124+ injured
  • 5,400+ houses destroyed
  • 64% of Afghanistan's 41.5 million population lives in poverty
  • 50% of the population dependent on humanitarian aid for survival
  • 14% suffer from acute hunger
  • E1 million ($1.16 million) in aid from the EU to "humanitarian partners" on the ground
  • 130 tons of aid materials, including tents, clothes, medical supplies, and water purification equipment, to be flown to Kabul

Sources:

  • DW (Fatemeh Rezaei interview)
  • UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan (Indrika Ratwatte statement)
  • Local sources in Kunar and Nangarhar (Zahra Haghparast interview)
  • Afghan Red Crescent
  • EU announcement on humanitarian aid to Afghanistan
  • UN report on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan