Canada has allocated $3 million in emergency funding for Afghanistan earthquake relief. Secretary of State Randeep Sarai announced the package on September 5, according to a press release from Global Affairs Canada.
Afghanistan was already facing a crisis before the magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Nangarhar Province on August 31, 2025: an estimated 22.9 million people (nearly half of Afghanistan’s 46 million population) need assistance in 2025. The disaster has worsened conditions across the region, with thousands of Afghans being affected, prompting donors to expand response efforts.
The funding announced by Canada will be distributed across multiple partners. The World Food Programme receives $1.3 million to scale up food distribution and logistics; the International Committee of the Red Cross will receive $1 million through a response project to assist communities impacted by the earthquake. Through the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund, $700,000 will go to CARE Canada and Islamic Relief Canada, supporting water services, shelter, supplies, and health care.
This response complements Canada’s broader commitment to Afghanistan. The country has allocated over $36 million for assistance in 2025 through UN agencies, Red Cross, and NGO partners.
“Millions of people in the country were already facing a crisis, and Canada’s support will help respond to their growing needs,” Sarai stated.
