Standing by quake-hit Afghanistan

Tragedies do not seem to end in Afghanistan. The country has recently been hit by a devastating earthquake, second one in two months, killing and injuring hundreds of people. The death toll from the 6.3-magnitude earthquake in western Afghanistan is estimated to be 2,000. There is ever chance that the number might rise further in one of the deadliest quakes to hit the country. The visuals of mud-brick buildings that have collapsed like a pack of cards are heart wrenching. The faces of children who have been rescued have moved us. International organisations should come forward to help Afghanistan in this time of great calamity and desperate need. They should step in to alleviate the untold misery engendered by the earthquake. Even they should lend a hand to the post-earthquake reconstruction of Afghanistan in an affirmation and a demonstration of the spirit of common humanity.
Despite all the scientific advancements made by mankind, it is unfortunate that there are no standard technologies as yet to forecast earthquakes with a realistic degree of occurrence time, location, intensity and magnitude. The wrath of Nature is indeed deeply devastating. In times of such distress, the entire international community must stand united and help the affected country.

Fariha Tabassum Piya,
Student of Department of Management,
University of Dhaka, Dhaka,
f.tabassum36@gmail.com