Kermanshah Earthquake Victims Spend Another Night Outdoors; Number of Injured Reaches 9,388

According to reports from the affected areas during the severe earthquake in Kermanshah, many citizens have spent a third consecutive night in the streets and outdoors. While reports in the media and social networks have surfaced regarding shortages of tents and some basic necessities, the Disaster Management Organization claims that 'there are sufficient facilities.' Meanwhile, according to ISNA news agency, as of now, the latest statistics indicate that 9,388 injured individuals have sought treatment at hospitals since the earthquake occurred, and the death toll has been reported as 432. Mohammad Taghi Nazarpour, head of the Organization for Renovation, Development, and Equipment of Schools, also announced that the number of destroyed schools in Kermanshah province has reached 70, comprising a total of 400 classrooms. Reports indicate that residents of the cities and villages that suffered the most damage from the earthquake spent the night of Tuesday and the early morning of November 15 outdoors. While thousands of residential units have been completely destroyed, citizens whose homes have not collapsed remain in the streets and their personal vehicles due to concerns about the potential collapse of their homes. The governor of Sarpol-e Zahab, a severely affected city, told Tasnim news agency that among a total of 20,000 households in the city, 10,000 tents and 40,000 blankets have been distributed. This official emphasized that there are still 'shortages' in this city and surrounding areas and villages. The district governor of Azgaleh, the earthquake's epicenter, also stated that 'the people in this area still have issues with tents.' The governor of Gilan-e Gharb County reported 'a very high volume of damages' and that 'no aid shipments have been sent to many villages.' Drinking water in Gilan-e Gharb is still cut off. On the other hand, Behnam Saidi, spokesperson for the Disaster Management Organization, stated that 'there is no problem regarding facilities such as tents, blankets, carpets, and heating equipment in the earthquake-affected areas.' According to Mr. Saidi, 'It was decided that aid would reach all areas by tonight with the cooperation of the IRGC and the army.' These statements come after the head of the Red Crescent's Rescue and Relief Organization announced a day earlier that 'emergency accommodation work would be completed by noon on Tuesday, November 23.' Despite the statements from government and relief officials, several members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly have criticized what they described as 'severe weakness' in the relief efforts. The reflection of criticisms, both regarding the manner of aid delivery and the safety of structures in the earthquake-affected areas, continues on social media. Some users on social media have also addressed the issue of buildings from the 'Mehr Housing' project. Some are severely criticizing the destruction of these structures, while others defend these houses, stating that only two people were killed in them; this issue of two fatalities reflects comments attributed to the public relations office of the Roads and Urban Development Ministry of Kermanshah. However, the same official stated in another interview with Tasnim that there is still 'no accurate statistics on the casualties of the Mehr Housing in the earthquake-affected areas, especially Sarpol-e Zahab.' Criticisms regarding the safety of structures are not limited to the situation of Mehr Housing, with various references made to the stability of buildings constructed in past decades compared to newly built structures. Meanwhile, reports have emerged from Islamabad-e Gharb regarding the arrest of the contractor of the new hospital in this city, which was destroyed during the earthquake. Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, stated that those responsible for constructing unsafe buildings will be punished. Promises made by various Iranian officials have also become the target of some criticisms. The issue of public aid has also received widespread attention on social media. Many citizens, as well as non-governmental organizations, have called for the collection of cash and in-kind donations for the victims. Some users have criticized political approaches, joking, or 'settling scores' under the pretext of the recent earthquake. Many users from various regions of Iran have expressed their condolences to the victims and the families of the deceased. In this context, 'Iran in Mourning for Kermanshah' the Iranian Engineering Organization has stated that it has 'no oversight' over the Mehr Housing project. The U.S. Treasury Department has announced ways to send aid to the earthquake victims in Kermanshah. Criticism from some members of parliament regarding the 'weakness of relief efforts' for the earthquake victims continues.