Afghan singer’s initiative for Emergency Shelters in Herat sparks controversy

Renowned Afghan artist and vocalist, Farhad Darya, recently announced the inauguration of 37 emergency shelters in Sanjab Wardak village, Herat province on his social media. However, the shelters have faced significant controversy from the public due to their poor design and lack of qualification.

He wrote that “Following a severe earthquake in the northwest of Herat city, USD 69,100 in collected funds was allocated to build 37 emergency shelters in Sanjab Wardak village. Each shelter, spanning 10 square meters, was constructed using the “super adobe homes” technique, offering strong earthquake resistance despite their modest appearance.”

Meanwhile, Darya’s initiative received a warm welcome from his supporters who deeply appreciated his efforts to assist those in need during the harsh winter and dire humanitarian crisis. Many of his fans praised Farhad for consistently appearing as a beacon of support for his people, offering assistance without any ulterior motives or expectations.

Darya’s unwavering dedication to his community has not gone unnoticed, and his selfless actions continue to inspire those around him. Farhad’s commitment to helping others in their time of need serves as a testament to his compassion and willingness to make a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate.

one of his fun, Nizam Rezahi wrote, ” The real worth of this modest mud-brick house is only evident to those who’ve endured its shelter during harsh winter nights. Building even a single adobe room teaches you that for just seventy thousand dollars, you can become a project manager here. Labour isn’t free, materials aren’t free, and transportation has its costs. Let’s applaud people like Farhad Darya, as in the world of construction, each brick stacked comes with a price.”

On the other hand, the initiative faced several criticisms, one of the critics Ali Rafat responded to the Darya and said: Mr. Darya, These shelters are not suitable. There are no windows, no ventilation, no bathroom, and it doesn’t even have a kitchen.” He continues advising Darya, “You could have considered an alternative design, be a bit more receptive to criticism, and honestly, for the money you spent, something better could have been built.”

He added, “Even if someone hasn’t experienced an earthquake, being inside this house can weaken one’s spirit and make them feel depressed!”

Meanwhile, another critic, Khanudin Amiri, said “You have undoubtedly demonstrated your sense of patriotism and kindness up to this day, and there is no doubt about it.” However, Mr. Darya, with $70,000, might not be a lot of money for building a settlement and assisting earthquake victims but wasn’t expected to come and build temporary houses.

“Instead of doing that, you could have built 10 standard and equipped houses and distributed them to 10 families; it would have been better than these emergency houses.”

Mr. Darya defended his work, explaining that the shelters were constructed using the “super adobe homes” or “hyper-mud” technique. Despite their modest appearance, they offer strong earthquake resistance and withstand extreme temperatures. This innovative approach has proven successful in earthquake-prone countries like Chile, Nepal, Turkey, Iran, and more, making them a safer choice than tents or containers in the challenging conditions of northwestern Herat.

He also added that “our goal was not to build palaces but to construct emergency shelters before the arrival of winter, so that the people could be safe from the cold and earthquakes.”

Furthermore, he responded to his critics, stating that he has no words for those who stay in their warm homes, do nothing, and only criticize and post on social media when others take action. He expressed deep gratitude to those who actively participated in the project, highlighting the significance of the earthquake-affected families, financial contributors, supportive individuals, and the local working team, including labourers and engineers.

In early October 2023, Herat Province in western Afghanistan experienced four significant earthquakes, each measuring 6.3 magnitude, along with numerous aftershocks. These earthquakes, linked to thrust faulting, severely impacted the region, resulting in 1,482 fatalities, and 2,100 injuries, and affecting 43,400 individuals.

These earthquakes occurred amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Aid organizations, already facing funding challenges, appealed for donations, including UNICEF and the Red Cross. International groups and countries mobilized to provide rescue and relief, while hospitals struggled to handle the injured and lacked vital equipment.

Furthermore, the earthquakes left thousands of people homeless as Afghanistan entered the winter season, exacerbating the existing challenges in the country. The disasters highlighted the urgent need for humanitarian aid and support in a nation grappling with multiple crises.

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