Afghanistan Earthquake Response

Thank you for you support of this project. I'm writing to share some updates on ActionAid's work in Afghanistan.

Context: Afghanistan is facing a deepening humanitarian and food security crisis driven by prolonged drought, economic collapse, institutional constraints, reduced international funding, and repeated shocks. One in five Afghans is experiencing acute hunger, with an estimated 3 million people severely malnourished, and 9.5 million projected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse. 

The humanitarian situation sharply deteriorated following a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck Eastern Afghanistan on 31 August 2025, affecting more than 71 villages across Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces. The worst-hit districts were in Kunar, where weak mud-brick housing, rugged terrain, limited emergency services, and access constraints intensified the impact. The earthquake affected over 77,000 families (around 502,000 people), killing 1,992 people and injuring 3,631—more than half of whom were women and girls. Over 8,500 houses were destroyed or damaged, forcing 7,600 households into tents, while livelihoods were devastated through the loss of livestock, farmland, and grain stores. Women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities face heightened protection risks, compounded by cultural restrictions, limited access to female health providers, and increasing movement restrictions and flood-damaged roads that delayed assistance.

ActionAid Afghanistan is responding through partners in Kunar, Laghman, and Nangarhar provinces through integrated humanitarian interventions, including dry food assistance, WASH infrastructure rehabilitation, cash-for-work for debris removal and reconstruction, and the distribution of non-food items. Community resilience is being strengthened through disaster preparedness committees and disaster risk reduction training targeting 2,000 families. In Kunar alone, support includes hygiene and dignity kits, multi-purpose cash assistance, and hygiene promotion for 1,100 households. To date, ActionAid Afghanistan has supported approximately 1,000 earthquake-affected families in Kunar and Nangarhar; however, urgent winterization support is needed as nearly 90 percent of affected families are sheltering in tents. An estimated 11,000 pregnant women in the affected areas risk giving birth in freezing conditions, while around 39,000 children remain exposed, underscoring the critical need for scaled-up, timely assistance.

We appreicate your support of our efforts during these challenging times.