Araz News: Two years after 6.4 Richter earthquake which struck Ahar and Varzeghan cities of South Azerbaijan many villagers still are living in containers and tents.

The major earthquake took place on 11st August 2012. Toll of the quake was heavy because of traditional mud-brick structure of the region’s villages.

More than 300 people lost lives, thousands of homes were damaged and several villages were completely destroyed.

The earthquake was marked also as a political tension.

Azerbaijani people, media and organizations criticized Iranian authorities because of short, reluctant and unorganized rescue and aid operation. Critics say the state TV was giving reports about Palestine when thousands of citizens were struggling to save their lives. Also the supreme religious leader Khamenei and the president Ahmadi Nejhad offered condolences days after earthquake while on the same day of the earthquake president offered condolences for president of Sierra Leone due to his mother’s death.

Azerbaijani activists blamed the Iranian authorities of ethnical discrimination and quickly launched civil rescue and aid campaigns in Azerbaijani cities. Thousands of Azerbaijanis rushed to the region with aid conveys following.

The authorities shocked by the Azerbaijani people’s reaction had to take more action while some Azerbaijani activist were detained and sentenced due to so called “preventing disorder”.

Now after two years many villagers sytay in containers and tents despite lots of promises the authorities gave by the time.