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Islamic Relief has deployed an emergency health team to provide critical services to survivors of an earthquake in eastern Afghanistan that has killed more than 1400 people, injured thousands more, and has wiped out entire villages. The number of people impacted continues to rise as rescue teams reach more areas.
The 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Kunar province on 31 August 2025, at around midnight local time, when most families were asleep. Aftershocks continued through the night.
Many of the worst-affected areas are remote and mountainous regions. Roads have been blocked by landslides and rescuers are forced to reach some of the worst-hit villages by foot, or evacuate casualties by helicopter.
Islamic Relief’s teams are particularly responding in areas of Kunar province to provide essential health services; including mother and child healthcare, treatment of injuries, nutrition and trauma support.
The disaster comes as people in Afghanistan are already struggling to cope with widespread drought and the impact of global cuts to humanitarian aid, which have resulted in the closure of essential services such as health facilities and nutrition centres. Services in the country are also overwhelmed by the massive influx of Afghan returnees who have been ordered to leave Iran and Pakistan. More than 2.4 million people have returned this year and many have arrived in poor health and without anywhere to live. Islamic Relief has been supporting returnees when they arrive.
In addition to socioeconomic instability, high levels of poverty and malnutrition, Afghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable and least prepared to adapt to climate change (Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index).
Last year alone, the country experienced major swings in extreme weather conditions; including severe droughts, flash flooding and devastating earthquakes that claimed tens of thousands of lives, injured hundreds of thousands more, and exposed millions to critical losses in livelihoods and assets.
In May 2024, multiple districts in Afghanistan’s Baghlan province were devastated by heavy rains and flash flooding.
Three hundred people were killed, 1,600 were injured, thousands of families were displaced, and entire communities were destroyed. Thousands of homes were also damaged, along with roads, agricultural land and critical infrastructure. Islamic Relief teams in Afghanistan responded with urgency, assessing immediate and longer term, and providing humanitarian aid.
When deadly earthquakes struck the country towards the end of 2024, our Health Team, based in Herat, travelled to earthquake-affected areas to provide primary health assistance, medicine and counselling. We conducted needs assessments and worked closely with other responders and non-profit organisations, to explore joint response opportunities. In addition to health services, our teams distributed tents, non-food items and cash vouchers to those most affected.
Islamic Relief has worked in Afghanistan for over 20 years. Last year we supported more than 636,000 people in 20 of the country’s 34 provinces, providing aid including food, nutrition, healthcare, education and sustainable livelihoods.
In the earthquake-affected provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar we support farmers to improve agricultural production and help small businesses to thrive. Islamic Relief has also provided support in response to the earthquakes in Paktika and Herat.
We remain committed to helping to ensure the efficient provision of humanitarian aid and unrestricted, prompt, secure and unimpeded access for all humanitarian personnel, in accordance with international law.
Through our regional offices in Kabul, Balkh, Herat and Nangarhar, we provide:
With your support, we will continue to provide lifesaving aid to the people of Afghanistan, with particular focus on bringing relief to displaced families.