The Afghanistan earthquake – the United Nations confirms that women are on the front lines of response and need international support

This came in the words of Susan Ferguson, a special actress of the United Nations Women in Afghanistan, during her talk from Kabul to journalists in Geneva today, Friday. She emphasized that while most of the main tremors have passedWomen in affected areas face a long -term disaster without further urgent assistance. “

Women on the front lines

Mrs. Ferguson stressed that Afghan women are present “They work tirelessly on the front lines from the first day.” on ATo respond, adding that they make up 40% of all joint evaluation teams, with the support of international agencies.

One of the adherents described climbing on mountain slopes, “Distinguishing the falling rocks every time a shock occurs.”. Another woman who joined these teams said that there is no “Another channel for women to share their needs and concerns, as they are prevented from speaking to men.”

However, the humanitarian response to the catastrophe has been hindered by the prohibition of the de facto authorities, the entry of Afghan female employees and contracts to the United Nations headquarters in the capital, Kabul, which has entered into force since September 7.

On this, the representative of the United Nations Women’s Authority said: “This ban affects us because our female employees do not allow the office to work. However, female employees and workers in the field of humanitarian response are still able to work in the sites affected by the earthquake. This is very important, and the fait accompli authorities have also approved.”

Grand needs

More than two weeks ago when an earthquake measured 6 hikes in eastern Afghanistan, the rescuers faced very rugged terrain – often on foot – to reach the farthest areas in Konar state. At least 2,200 people died as a result of the collapse of houses based on highly slope hills on top of each other when the earthquake occurred around the midnight of August 31.

After meeting with survivors living in a simple tent in the Cocay area in the central Konar state, Ms. Ferguson said it would clearly need a more durable shelter, with a decrease in temperatures.

She said: “These women fled their village in the middle of the night when it hit the earthquake, and they walked for hours in search of a temporary shelter. They told me that they lost their relatives, and many of them are still buried under the rubble.

They invest in women

Women and girls formed more than half of the dead and wounded in the disaster. They also make up 60% of the missing, while many survivors live in tents or in the open.

Providing health care for the survivors of the tragedy remains a priority – in addition to finding enough women to do this work, in line with culturally accepted practices.

Mrs. Ferguson explained: “What I heard from health workers and some women is that there is a specific area in the area affected by the earthquake where there are cultural standards that mean that the women themselves do not want men to touch them, and that men also do not want to touch women while trying to save them.”

She added that the presence of women in humanitarian roles is vital to ensuring that women and girls get the support they need safely, adding that without them “We will simply be able to meet the needs of women and girls in the coming weeks and months.”

The destruction of the basic infrastructure has increased the risk of violence against women and girls, as they are forced to walk longer distances in search of a toilet or water gathering, which exposes them to the risk of violence and landmines.

Mrs. Ferguson said: “In daily life, and in this cultural context, these women are already facing an arduous battle every day in order to survive and support their families. Now, in light of the turmoil and chaos that followed the earthquake, these women will find it very difficult to feed their children and find a safe place to stay.”

The United Nations Women’s Representative called on the international community to increase urgent support to ensure that more humanitarian workers in the front lines.

She said: “We must invest more in commitment, courage and a sense of belonging to the society that Afghan workers in the humanitarian field have shown during this disaster.”