Helping Afghan communities recover after the earthquake

On November 3, a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, affecting more than 3,000 families in six provinces. Balkh and Samangan were among the worst-hit provinces, with thousands of homes destroyed or damaged, leaving families exposed to freezing temperatures and struggling to survive. Schools and water sources were disrupted, health conditions deteriorated, and psychological pressures among children and caregivers rose sharply as winter approached. In response, International Medical Corps mobilized mental health and psychosocial support teams to provide urgent assistance.

A staff member holds an awareness session in Samangan District for women affected by the earthquake.

“In the aftermath of a disaster, the most lasting wounds are often the ones we cannot see,” says Dr Muhammad Zahir, Field Director for International Medical Corps in Afghanistan. “Our mental health programs provide survivors with the support they need to process trauma and find hope, despite the devastation.”

Shafiqa*, a 35-year-old woman from Balkh Province, described how fear took over her life after the earthquake. She experienced sleepless nights and extreme anxiety, shaking at the slightest sound.

“Since the earthquake, I have not been able to sleep peacefully, and every little noise scares me,” she said. When a psychosocial counselor spoke to her, Shafiqa broke down in tears and shared her suffering. The counselor listened to her and reassured her that her feelings were normal after a traumatic event. Later, in a group session, Shafiqa learned relaxation techniques and coping strategies. Most importantly, she realized that she was not alone.

Staff conduct a psychosocial support awareness session before distributing dignity kits in Samangan District to women affected by the earthquake.

“I saw that other women were carrying the same pain and fear, and I realized we could support each other,” she recalls. At the end of the day, when the team distributed clean drinking water and dignity kits, Shafiqa said: “I felt happy, not only because of what we received, but because someone really cared about us and stood by us. I feel like my emotional and psychological state has improved, and I have begun to restore peace in my life.”

In another village in Balkh Province, Manizha* shared a similar experience. She spoke with a trembling voice about her constant fear and sleepless nights.

“Every little sound scared me,” Manizha explained. “I was always afraid that another earthquake would hit or that my family would be in danger.”

An IMC counselor created a safe space for her to share her feelings and introduced simple techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive relaxation. During the session, Manezha learned that her symptoms — restlessness, anxiety, and sudden fear — were normal responses to negative events. By the end of the session, the change was clear.

“I feel like hope has returned to my heart,” she explained. “This session has truly brought me peace. I feel lighter, I can breathe easier, and I no longer feel so alone.”

For the counsellor, this was a powerful reminder that compassionate listening and practical support can bring light to even the darkest days.

A staff member conducts a needs assessment in Balkh Province.

Shafiqa and Maniza's stories reflect the strength of Afghan communities and the profound impact of psychosocial support, reminding us that recovery is not just about rebuilding homes, but also about restoring dignity and peace. Through listening, care and simple techniques, we rebuild lives and restore hope.

During the IMC response, our teams provided more than 350 individual counseling sessions, conducted more than 2,260 awareness-raising sessions and organized dozens of focus group discussions, helping communities cope with trauma and become more resilient. We also distributed 200 winter blankets, more than 350 dignity kits and thousands of liters of clean drinking water, ensuring families have protection against extreme weather conditions, hygiene and safe hydration. These efforts reflect our commitment to meeting immediate needs and long-term recovery. Learn more about our work in Afghanistan.

*Not her real name.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos