KERMANSHAH PROVINCE, Iran — Across Iran’s western Kermanshah province, tents can be seen in parks and along roadsides. Some tents are for people who lost their homes in the Nov. 12 earthquake, and other tents are for those who fear that another earthquake might strike. The city of Sarpol-e Zahab was the most affected by the powerful, 7.3 magnitude quake that has killed at least 452 people, but other cities and towns, such as Eslamabad-e Gharb and Qasr-e Shireen, were also hit hard.

Upon entering Eslamabad-e Gharb, the first thing one sees are white tents in the main park. While the devastation in this city, which has a population of around 80,000, is less than elsewhere in the province, the facade of its main hospital and some buildings in the western part of the city were badly damaged. “This building was only finished two years ago,” said a resident of a damaged apartment building. “It was God’s mercy that none of the 15 families living here were killed.”

His neighbor, Mr. Mohammadi, was celebrating his daughter’s birthday when the quake hit. Traces of the party could be seen along the apartment’s cracked walls, where balloons and decorations still hung. “We were in the living room when everything started to shake," he said. "We felt as if the building was falling on our heads. It was just the kids everyone was concerned about.”

Some residents of Eslamabad-e Gharb complained that they weren't treated as a priority. “The government is focused on Sarpol-e Zahab, and they forgot about those in other cities," said a man who had taken refuge in the city park. “There are thousands of people in the streets. We know the tragedy in the other city is big, but we too need help.” A man with a bandaged arm smiled at these comments, saying, “Just go there and you yourself would forget about here. The ground has turned upside down there.”