Afghans across the GTA are devastated after a powerful June 22 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed 1,000 people and injured about 1,500 more.
The magnitude 5.9 earthquake directly affected the remote mountainous districts of Gayan and Barmal in Paktika, Khost and Nangarhar provinces in eastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan.
This disaster is the deadliest of its kind in decades in this region.
Afghan businessman and local journalist Nasir Khalid said all members of the Afghan community of approximately 110,000 GTA members are crushed by this news from his home.
“We are all very sad, very upset by what has happened,” said Khalid, a well-known local Afghan leader who runs the popular Facebook group “Afghan Community in Toronto.”
“For me, everyone in Afghanistan is part of my family and whatever happens to them I feel affected.”
Khalid said that at this early stage, details about the earthquake are still emerging, but it doesn’t look good.
“It is a great loss. There is a massive devastation, ”he said.
“No one knows who was killed, who was injured and who is alive. Everyone is worried about their family.”
Khalid said the people of GTA are especially concerned about their loved ones affected by this earthquake as the Taliban do not have the infrastructure or response systems, proper equipment or experience to properly manage this type of crisis.
“It’s a very sad situation,” he said.
Asma Faizi, president of the Afghan Women’s Association, said the disaster comes at a time when her homeland is already in a state of deep unrest.
“(This earthquake) is devastating for our people. As you know from a year or so ago the recent crisis, there have already been so many things in Afghanistan as a result of the four decades of war, the COVID, the recent crisis. Afghanistan was also in the middle of the second drought in years and now having this on top has been devastating for the community here, ”Faizi told CP24, adding that what has really happened is affecting the mental health of people, which is already eroded.welfare.
“For this additional disaster to happen at a time when it is such a serious situation in Afghanistan is simply devastating.”
Faizi said several local and international organizations and agencies are raising funds to help those directly affected by the disaster. He urged people to contribute as much as they can and hopes the Canadian government will match those funds.
“We know there are problems with the Taliban and people do not want to send money to Afghanistan, but this is a humanitarian crisis. Even the Taliban are asking for help because of the magnitude of what is happening,” said Faizi, who also calls on the international community to intervene immediately and provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
Speaking to CP24, Imam Mahammad Noori, president of Afghan Muslim Immigrant Aid based in Etobicoke, offered his condolences to all those who lost a loved one in this disaster and his good wishes to all the injured. .
Noori said Afghan GTA leaders will meet on Friday to plan some local fundraising events for Afghanistan.