Powerful Earthquake Strikes Eastern Afghanistan
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan late on August 31, with its epicenter in Kuz Kunar District of Nangarhar, around 27 kilometers from Jalalabad. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 8–10 kilometers and was felt across Kabul, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, and even Delhi.
Entire villages in Kunar and Nangarhar were reported damaged, with landslides and heavy rains blocking key routes and slowing rescue operations.
Casualties and Damage
By September 2, officials reported more than 1,100 lives lost and over 3,500 injured. Kunar province was the worst affected, where hundreds of homes were destroyed. In Nangarhar and Laghman, families lost houses and livestock. Aftershocks in Kabul caused people to flee buildings, while aid groups cautioned that numbers could rise as teams gain access to remote valleys.
Calls for Assistance
Afghanistan’s authorities appealed for urgent support, requesting ambulances, doctors, medical supplies, helicopters, and heavy machinery to clear rubble. They stressed that humanitarian needs should take priority over politics.
International Response
Several countries and organizations have pledged assistance.
-
The United Kingdom announced £1 million in aid through UNFPA and the Red Cross.
-
India sent 1,000 tents and 15 metric tons of food supplies.
-
China, Iran, the European Union, and Japan also promised support.
-
UN agencies and the Red Crescent continue to provide emergency relief, though overall funding for Afghanistan has declined.
Relief on the Ground
Local teams, including Taliban helicopters and the Afghan Red Crescent, have been transporting the injured, setting up camps, and collecting blood donations. However, officials emphasize that international aid remains critical, as more than 22 million Afghans already rely on humanitarian assistance, with over half the population living below the poverty line.
