Survivors grapple with aid cuts and the Taliban a year after massive Afghan earthquake

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — People had just seconds to flee their homes when the terrifying sound of earth cracking open reverberated across western Afghanistan's Herat province.

Nobody knows for sure how many people died in a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023, or in the strong aftershocks that followed. The Taliban government estimated that at least 4,000 perished. The U.N. gave a far lower figure of about 1,500. Survivors stopped counting, exhausted after digging through dirt to save their loved ones or bury them.

It was the deadliest natural disaster to strike Afghanistan in recent memory.

It was also another major challenge for the Taliban since they seized power in 2021, a test of their readiness to lead a country beset by economic hardship, isolation, devastation from decades of war, and vulnerability to shocks like earthquakes and climate change.

“At that time, the government really cooperated in transporting patients and the dead,” said Ismatullah Rahmani, from the quake’s epicenter in Zinda Jan district, where every home, usually built of mud and timber, was levelled. His brother and nephew were killed, and he spent hours trying to free his wife from under 1 1/2-meter (60 inches) of soil. She survived.

“They opened hospitals and provided water and food to people for free,” he told The Associated Press from his new home in Zinda Jan. He said the Taliban went to camps and helped survivors over several months, a blessing ahead of the harsh Herat winter.

“After that, our aid stopped,” said Rahmani.

Charities had stepped in to build housing for survivors. But the accommodation they built lacks walls so there is no privacy, while the poor design leaves them vulnerable to storms or heavy rainfall. Houses either have no bathrooms or the bathrooms don’t have a roof.

Rahmani's village, Naib Rafi, still doesn’t have a health clinic or a school. Instead, children are learning in tents.

The government didn’t provide financial assistance, he said. Senior officials and Islamic scholars visited communities a few times, listened to people’s problems and left.

Ahmadullah Muttaqi, spokesman and member of the Herat Earthquake Commission, said authorities worked with charities and nongovernmental groups to provide shelter and medical assistance.

“People’s problems haven’t been solved, of course, but the first necessity is building houses until they stand on their own feet. They have been given food and hospitals are still working,” he told AP. He said they were still working to rebuild mosques, schools, madrassas and parks.

He did not answer questions about authorities' preparedness for future disasters.

Afghans were already struggling with displacement, food insecurity and poverty before the quake struck, and the tragedy put further pressure on public services. Aid agencies, which have been propping up Afghan health care and education for the past three years under the Taliban, became even more thinly stretched.

The International Rescue Committee set up feeding corners after the earthquake so mothers could safely breastfeed children and get nutrition counselling. The relief agency said it also fixed water systems, provided emergency cash, hygiene kits, medical and mental health support to tens of thousands of people.

But, with other global crises raging, such support is finite.

International funding for Afghanistan has received less than a third of its target. Changing political priorities, economic troubles and wars are hitting donors’ pockets, especially those in the West.

Widespread opposition to the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan women and girls is also having an effect.

“There is donor fatigue, for sure, but perhaps the bigger problem is a nervousness from many donors about supporting anything but the most urgent life-saving aid,” said Mark Calder from World Vision International.

The U.N. says international recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan is nearly impossible while restrictions remain on female education and employment.

The Taliban reject this position, demanding Afghanistan’s seat at the U.N. and saying that sanctions and the country's continued isolation are hurting people.

Investment in quality development assistance would benefit Afghan women and girls disproportionately and it’s sometimes in their name that a reduction in aid to Afghanistan is promoted, said Calder.

“It’s difficult to imagine that Afghan communities are much better prepared for natural disasters than they were a year ago,” he added.

Herat authorities have been unable to fully meet humanitarian needs, while damaged infrastructure has hampered recovery efforts. A near-total reliance on aid organisations for basics like health care and shelter has left people exposed.

Four of Gul Ahmad Osmani’s children died in the disaster. He heard boys screaming under the soil in his village. It was impossible to pull them out, he said.

He and his surviving family members spent the winter in a tent. “The government took care of us, keeping my wife and children in a camp, but we didn’t see anything from the government that was specifically from them, like flour, cooking oil or rice,” Osmani said. “Our own people, the people of Afghanistan, brought food for several days.”

The helping hands came from other cities, districts and provinces to clear away rubble, bury the dead, and distribute everyday items like clothing.

But it’s been almost six months since NGOs or well-wishers came to help the residents of Zinda Jan. A kind doctor from northern Baghlan province donated money recently.

“There are still earthquakes and these new houses are heavy,” said Osmani. “Children are afraid. The help for the earthquake did not help us.”

—-

Haqjoo reported from Zinda Jan, Afghanistan.

New houses are seen in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Damaged classroom is seen in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 destroyed by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

New houses are seen is seen in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

New buildings of a school are seen is seen in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 destroyed by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Afghan workers work to rebuild the house for survivors in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 after it was destroyed by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Afghan workers work to rebuild a house in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Survivors gather around a water tanker to get potable waterin Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Survivors gather around a water tanker to get potable in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Survivor, makes a mud home in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Survivors, makes a mud home is seen in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

Survivors are stand in front of their new house is seen in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

New houses are seen is seen in Zinda Jan district, of Herat province, in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

A general view of damaged houses in western Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024 destroyed by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Omid Haqjoo)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Cade Klubnik had 235 passing yards and threw touchdown passes to Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore as No. 15 Clemson jumped to an early lead and cruised past Florida State 29-13 on Saturday night.

“I thought Cade played great,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “Gritty. Made some plays with his legs. He’s just been a difference maker for us in his recognition. He’s been much more opportunistic. Has really made some big plays.”

Klubnik completed 19 of 33 passes and ran for 62 yards on 11 carries. He threw a 57-yard touchdown to Williams and a 23-yard touchdown to Moore as Clemson built a 17-0 lead after one quarter.

“Really proud of the guys,” Klubnik said. “Obviously want to convert some of those field goals to touchdowns. I feel like we played an A-minus, B-plus game on offense in total and we still had 500 yards of offense.”

Klubnik now has 14 touchdown passes in five games.

Phil Mafah ran for 154 yards on 20 carries as Clemson (4-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) finished with 265 rushing yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. The Tigers owned the line of scrimmage and won their first road game of 2024.

Coach Dabo Swinney picked up his 174th win at Clemson, breaking the record for victories at an ACC school — a mark held by Florida State’s Bobby Bowden, who won 173 games from the time the school joined the league in 1992 to his retirement in 2009.

“It’s a blessing,” Swinney said. “And I honestly think coach Bowden is probably smiling. Somebody has to break it. Somebody will break this record one of these days. It’s not ever anything I’ve ever dreamed about or cared about or thought about doing.”

While Florida State won the 2023 matchup in Death Valley, Clemson has won four straight games in Tallahassee.

Brock Glenn, making his third career start, completed 23 of 41 passes for 228 yards and touchdowns to Amaree Williams and Ja’Khi Douglas for Florida State (1-5, 1-4). He completed more passes than he had in his previous two starts plus mop-up time.

“I appreciated his energy,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “He showed toughness throughout the course of the game. Made some really good plays.”

QB FRIENDSHIP

Klubnik caught up with Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei after the game. The two were teammates at Clemson in 2022, which was Klubnik’s freshman year and Uiagalelei’s last year before transferring to Oregon State for the 2023 season. Uiagalelei did not play for the Seminoles on Saturday due to injury.

“We text every once in a while,” Klubnik said. “I told him I was praying for his hand. But more than anything I told him I was thankful for him and thankful for the time that we had together. It was great to see him.”

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Clemson is poised to move up, especially on a day when so many top 10 teams lost.

TAKEAWAYS

Clemson: The Tigers racked up 500 offensive yards, controlling the line of scrimmage for large portions of the game.

Florida State: The Seminoles didn’t have any rushing yardage through three quarters, finishing with 22 yards on 23 carries and lacking balance to support a redshirt freshman quarterback.

UP NEXT

Clemson plays at Wake Forest next Saturday.

Florida State has a bye and will next play at Duke on Oct. 18.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn (11) passes under pressure from Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz (17) during the first second of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. Clemson beat Florida State 29-13. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)

Clemson tight end Josh Sapp safety is sandwiched by Florida State defensives back Ashlynd Barker (27) and Kevin Knowles II (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)

Clemson wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) is all alone as he scores his team's second touchdown against Florida State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)

Clemson wide receiver T.J. Moore (1) and quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) celebrate after Moore caught a pass from Klubnik to score the team's second touchdown against Florida State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)