Gardez, Afghanistan – Over the last year the Afghan people have faced a number of upheavals — the end of the US occupation, the Taliban’s return to power and sanctions — and tragedies — a series of ISIL (ISIS) group bombings on places of worship and the Kabul Airport. But it was last month’s 5.9-magnitude earthquake that really rallied Afghans all over the country to reach out and help the thousands of victims.
The June 21 earthquake reportedly killed at least 1,100 people and left more than 1,500 injured in the southeastern provinces of Paktika and Khost. Those numbers startled Afghans inside and outside the country and spurred them into action, as groups of volunteers headed towards the remote districts of Gaiyan, Spera, Barmal and Orgun.
