At least 630 people lost their lives and 12.000 others were wounded in the earthquake of 7.3 magnitude that occurred on November 12, 2017 in Kermanshah.

The biggest in Iran for the last 10 years, the earthquake cost over 70.000 people their homes. Victims of the earthquake spent the winter with great hardship, and still bear the signs of the earthquake despite the full year that has passed.

According to Iranian media, over 103 apartment buildings were damaged. The general damage is 11 times the yearly budget for the region. The worst part is the situation of the homeless: Many still live in tents despite 1 full year having passed.

The victims of the earthquake have many issues in the deadly cold winter of Kermanshah. Last year, Iranian media had published the story of Sarina Zahabi, the 2-year-old girl who lost her life due to the cold.

The Arman newspaper wrote the following on November 27, citing a survivor: “In every aftershock, nightmares from that night come back. Many families who survived the earthquake haven’t found homes yet. Every time it rains or snows, the tent fills up with water and we end up having to sit by the tent in our wet clothes. Nobody will answer our call. Small electric heaters can’t help us in this cold. They promised to build us houses, but now they think the tents are OK.”

An article published on September 29 cited a study by the Housing Foundation that said most of the homes in Kermanshah fell down, and that temporary shelter has become a norm in the affected areas of Kermanshah. Hopes that authorities will help the people have since dwindled.

Muhamed Cemal Niya, mayor of Sarpole Zahab which was the epicenter of the earthquake, had admitted in a speech in October that 30% of the people were still living on the streets in affected areas.The Sapole Zahab Mayor spoke to the Ilna agency on September 14 and criticized President Hassan Rouhani of not doing nothing and added that some citizens had had to resort to selling their kidneys.”