Tears trace down Fatima’s cheek as she gazes into the large mirror set into the whitewashed wall. She wipes them away gently, standing in the center of a room she never imagined would rise from the rubble that once was her home. A lamp hangs from the wooden ceiling beams, casting a warm glow. The pristine walls speak of unity, and a small window breathes life into the space.

“We emerged from nothingness into existence — a transformation we never thought possible. The earthquake took everything from us; we had nothing but the clothes on our backs. The ground became our floor, the sky our ceiling.”

Fatima, around 40, is a mother of five sons and a daughter. Two of her sons work in Iran. For 17 years, she has volunteered as a health worker in Chahak, trained in first aid. Today, she is overjoyed to see life returning to her village.

Chahak, a remote village in Injil district of Herat province, lies 40 kilometers from Herat city. Home to around 1,700 people across 235 families, most residents rely on livestock farming. But incomes are often insufficient, prompting many young people to seek work abroad, particularly in Iran. In October 2023, a series of powerful earthquakes devastated the region, reducing Chahak to rubble.

The quakes claimed over 1,500 lives, most of them women and children, and destroyed approximately 3,300 homes across Herat province. Families were left homeless and vulnerable, with little more than hope to hold onto.

In response, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) allocated $2.25 million to support immediate recovery. Working from tents set up in their compound (the UNDP office had been damaged in the quake), they worked hard to assist affected communities.

In partnership with Norwegian Church Aid and other local actors, UNDP constructed 235 transitional shelters in Chahak within just two months. Built using local materials and vernacular architecture — traditional materials and resources from the area where the building is located — these shelters were designed to be earthquake-resistant, offering both safety and dignity.

But the support didn’t stop there. UNDP introduced solar cookers and lighting systems, reducing reliance on firewood and improving indoor air quality. Community kitchens served over 36,000 hot meals, while cash-for-shelter initiatives empowered residents to take part in rebuilding their homes.

In 2024 and early 2025, UNDP supported the construction of an additional 169 permanent housing units. These homes, built with the same vernacular techniques and reinforced with anti-seismic features, are designed to last. Each includes two rooms, a hallway, and an open kitchen, offering families a safe and dignified space to call home.

“We had lost everything, but UNDP stood by us through cold and heat,” says Amir, a village elder, now smiling.

“They built what they called ‘temporary’ shelters, but they’re so well-constructed they might last over ten years. Each family received a solar cooker, which eliminated the need to burn wood for heating water, saving us money. Later, they installed solar systems, giving us free, 24-hour electricity in this remote village.

And now, permanent homes! Words can’t do justice to these houses. At first, we were skeptical about the construction methods, but once completed, we saw their strength and beauty. We are immensely happy and grateful.”

Fatima and Amir are among hundreds in Chahak who now experience life anew. They have left behind the dark days of displacement and despair and are filled with gratitude for the support that helped them rebuild.