Islamic Relief marks one year of earthquake response in eastern Afghanistan

Islamic Relief Worldwide has reached approximately 28,000 people with humanitarian assistance in eastern Afghanistan one year after a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck the mountainous Kunar region on 31 August 2025, according to a press release by the organization. The nighttime quake killed more than 2,100 people, injured thousands more, and affected around half a million residents across eastern Afghanistan. The United Nations reported that up to 13,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Islamic Relief has delivered support through four channels: immediate relief, healthcare, shelter, and cash assistance. A year on, thousands of survivors remain in tents and dependent on humanitarian aid.

Afghanistan has faced a severe humanitarian crisis for years, with half the population enduring critical food and cash shortages. The earthquake in Kunar deepened these challenges for large sections of the population. While the country has experienced stronger earthquakes previously, the location of the epicenter caused devastating consequences in Kunar and neighboring provinces. Whole villages were buried under rubble, and survivors spent days sleeping outdoors. Livelihoods across the affected area were largely destroyed.

Within hours of the disaster, Islamic Relief deployed an emergency health team offering mother and child healthcare, injury treatment, nutritional support, and trauma counseling. During the initial emergency phase, the organization reached close to 1,000 families with lifesaving interventions, distributing tents, solar lamps, tarpaulins, winter clothing kits, and fire blankets. In partnership with Qatar Charity, Islamic Relief established clinics in Badenzoy village in Chawkay District and Nangosai village in Sarkano District. To date, both clinics have provided outpatient and maternal healthcare services to around 4,000 households. Overall, more than 250 lifesaving shelter kits and 200 tents were delivered across Chapa Dara and Sawkai districts.

In Chapa Dara District, more than 2,000 individuals benefited from traditional shelter construction and home repairs, while roughly 200 severely affected households in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces received emergency shelter kits. Cash assistance has reached more than 950 families across Kunar and Nangarhar, offering flexibility to meet varied needs. Masom, whose home and workplace were destroyed, described the impact of the support. “When Islamic Relief provided cash assistance, it brought immediate relief. I could buy food for my family without borrowing or skipping meals,” he said.

Despite the scale of assistance already delivered, Islamic Relief stresses that further support is required. Thousands of displaced families continue to rely on temporary shelters, limited food supplies, and strained health services. The organization is calling for additional donations to reach more households still struggling to recover. Its response spans emergency aid, healthcare, shelter, and cash-based programs. Islamic Relief has pledged to continue supporting communities affected by the Kunar earthquake.