China's aid eases misery of quake-affected Afghans in winter

In early spring, the average temperature in the deserts of northwestern Afghanistan remains below zero degrees Celsius. Amidst biting cold wind and swirling arid sand, rows of tents with the words "CHINA AID" stand among the rubble after the earthquakes.

Multiple tremors, including one of 6.3 magnitude, struck northwestern Afghanistan last October, killing more than 1,000 people and destroying a large number of houses. Winter came soon afterwards with local temperatures dropping below zero degrees Celsius, leaving the earthquake victims in a dire situation.

As winter approaches, it is a top priority to help those who have lost their homes from the earthquakes to weather the winter, said Nisar Ahmad Elyas, Herat governor's spokesperson, after the earthquakes. He admitted that the interim government and people of Afghanistan face numerous challenges in terms of post-disaster reconstruction and averting a humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported on Jan 15, 2024 that the severe winter in Herat province is putting the lives of earthquake victims at risk and hampering reconstruction efforts.

At this testing time, China's assistance has brought warmth and hope. On Oct 15, 2023, the first batch of Chinese humanitarian supplies for earthquake relief, including tents and rollaway beds, arrived in Afghanistan. A month later, the second batch of supplies from the Chinese government, including cotton tents, rollaway beds, quilts and down jackets arrived in Herat. 

Mohammed Jan, a local villager who lost five family members in the earthquakes, now lives in a tent donated by China. He once had to pick through the rubble to protect himself from the cold. In addition to the tent, his family received two blankets and a few cotton coats from China. "They keep up warm in the cold winter," he said.

During an interview, dozens of Afghans came and gathered around the reporter, showing him the "CHINA AID" sign on their coats or blankets that they received from China.

"I am thankful to China for sending assistance to our village that has covered at least 50 households," said Ghulam Reza, a local victim who received aid assistance from China including blankets, coats and food. "Without China's assistance, the consequences would be catastrophic, because we cannot afford any food right after the earthquake when we lost our homes, and we didn't have clothes to keep us warm throughout the winter."

Mohammad Musa Ashari, director for the natural disaster management authority of Herat, said China is a good and friendly neighbor that sent aid to the quake-affected families in their hour of need.