UN Begins Reconstruction of Avicenna School in Herat After Earthquake
Following a devastating earthquake that destroyed the Avicenna (Abu Ali Sina) School in Injil district of Herat province, 500 students were suddenly left without classrooms and halted in their education. The earthquake is considered one of the most destructive natural disasters to strike the region in recent times.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), with financial support from the UN’s Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (UN-STFA), has now begun reconstruction of a new school on the same site. The new facility is being designed to be highly resistant to natural disasters, including earthquakes, to ensure sustainable education for students.
Despite being nominally responsible for managing public services, the Taliban administration has shown no meaningful initiative or effective action to rebuild schools or support education in the disaster-affected areas. This neglect of educational needs, especially in the aftermath of natural catastrophes, has sparked deep concern among residents and international organizations.
At a time when Afghanistan’s education sector is in urgent need of immediate support and effective planning, the involvement of international bodies such as UN-Habitat offers renewed hope to families and children in the affected regions. Experts emphasize that continued support of this kind can partly fill the gap left by the lack of basic services under the Taliban administration.
