Few Survivors Expected as Afghan Earthquake Relief Efforts Continue
September 3, 2025 – 12:07 – hopes are dwindling for finding additional survivors three days after a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, leaving at least 1,400 people dead and over 3,124 injured. A magnitude 6.0 earthquake occurred around midnight on Sunday, followed by aftershocks on Tuesday that renewed panic among residents.
The majority of casualties were recorded in the remote, mountainous province of Kunar, with neighboring Nangarhar and Laghman, bordering Pakistan, also substantially affected. Landslides are hindering access to isolated communities, with some localities still awaiting assistance, according to local official Ijaz Ulhaq Yaad.
Save The children reported that one of its teams walked 20 kilometers to reach a town cut off by landslides, carrying medical supplies.
Afghanistan, already grappling with a prolonged humanitarian crisis and the return of citizens from Pakistan and Iran, is one of the worldS poorest nations. Decades of conflict have exacerbated the situation. Actionaid stated they are working against the clock, noting that public services are strained due to recent cuts in international aid. The earthquake has impacted villages already facing food shortages, with approximately one in five inhabitants experiencing hunger.
Taliban authorities have not yet announced a comprehensive plan for earthquake relief, financial aid, or long-term reconstruction, stating they cannot manage the situation alone. The UN has released $5 million from its World Emergency Intervention Fund, estimating hundreds of thousands are affected, but the World Health Association (WHO) reports a $3 million shortfall for its emergency response.
Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, notably in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates converge. A magnitude 6.3 earthquake in the Herat region in 2023 resulted in over 1,500 deaths and the destruction of more than 63,000 homes.
