The devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday has left at least 1,124 people dead and more than 3,251 injured, according to the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society. The powerful quake, followed by multiple aftershocks, has destroyed over 8,000 homes, leaving survivors stranded and entire communities in despair.
Epicentre Near Jalalabad, Widespread Destruction in Kunar
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicentre was just 27 kilometres from Jalalabad, striking at a shallow depth of 8 km. Kunar province, which lies along the Pakistan border, suffered the heaviest losses with around 800 fatalities and 2,500 injuries. Neighboring Nangarhar reported 12 deaths and 255 injuries, while 58 people were injured in Laghman province.
“Many people are stuck under the rubble of their roofs,” said Ehsanullah Ehsan, the disaster management chief in Kunar, warning that the death toll could rise further as rescue teams struggle to access remote villages.
Aid and Relief Efforts Hampered by Blocked Roads
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) noted that several severely impacted villages remain cut off due to landslides and damaged roads. Rescuers have been working through the night, pulling survivors from the debris of mud-brick houses that collapsed in the tremor.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed solidarity, announcing the release of an initial $5 million from the UN’s emergency response fund. “The United Nations is working closely with Afghan authorities to swiftly assess needs, provide emergency assistance, and mobilize additional support,” Guterres said.
The Vatican also shared a message of condolence from Pope Leo XIV, who said he was “deeply saddened by the significant loss of life.”
Afghanistan’s Fragile Situation
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s poorest and most disaster-prone countries, grappling with a protracted humanitarian crisis since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The nation’s vulnerability has been worsened by the sharp reduction in foreign aid, following the suspension of most international funding in early 2025 under the Trump administration.
Earlier this year, the UN scaled back global humanitarian aid, citing the “deepest funding cuts ever.” This has left Afghanistan ill-equipped to respond to natural disasters like earthquakes, which are frequent due to its location on the Eurasian–Indian tectonic plate junction.
A Nation in Mourning
With families still trapped under debris, and thousands left homeless, the true scale of devastation is only beginning to emerge. The quake is a stark reminder of Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure and urgent need for sustainable international support.
As the world watches, the question remains: Will Afghanistan receive the aid it desperately needs or will another humanitarian crisis go unanswered?
