Today, 27 years ago, on February 4, 1998 (Lunar Calendar, January 8, 1998), a powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan. At the height of the great earthquake in Afghanistan, on February 4, 1998, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the northern region of the Afghan province of Tahar, destroying more than 1,700 homes, killing more than 4,000 people and leaving at least 15,000 homeless. On February 7, UN Secretary-General Annan called on the UN branches in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan to send rescue personnel to the earthquake area.