Aftermath of Afghanistan's Earthquake: Urgent Needs for Displaced Families

Wed Oct 22 2025 07:48:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Following the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, over 2,200 lives have been lost, and thousands are left without shelter as winter approaches. The United Nations emphasizes the immediate need for humanitarian assistance in the region.

A recent 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, resulting in significant fatalities and destruction. With 5,230 homes destroyed, the United Nations faces challenges in assessing the full impact and delivering aid due to damaged infrastructure. Many displaced families are living in makeshift tents without adequate supplies as winter looms. Immediate humanitarian assistance is crucial to prevent further loss of life and health crises.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A recent 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan has led to a staggering humanitarian crisis, with over 2,200 reported fatalities and thousands more left homeless. The earthquake struck on August 31 in the eastern mountainous region, where access remains severely limited due to damaged roads.

Shannon O’Hara, chief of coordination for the U.N. humanitarian office in Afghanistan, reported that numerous remote villages have yet to be reached for assessment, and preliminary evaluations show that 5,230 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged. The quake has affected approximately 500,000 individuals, including many vulnerable children.

As aid teams struggle to navigate blocked roads and aftershocks ranging from 5.2 to 5.6 in magnitude continue to complicate relief efforts, urgent needs are rising. Families can be seen fleeing their devastated homes, carrying only essential belongings, many still in the clothes they wore that night.

The situation deteriorates closer to the epicenter where entire villages are wiped out, leaving communities living in overcrowded tents or exposed to the elements. The lack of clean drinking water represents a severe health risk, especially with cholera endemic within the region.

O’Hara highlighted the pressing needs for food, clean water, adequate shelter, and sanitation facilities, emphasizing that many families are without basic necessities as winter approaches. Displaced women have specifically expressed the urgency for warm clothing and safe water supplies for themselves and their children.

Furthermore, potential flash floods and additional aftershocks threaten to further isolate already vulnerable communities, creating a desperate situation as winter rapidly approaches.

The United Nations plans to issue an emergency appeal for critical funding to aid affected populations and ensure that the needs of particularly vulnerable groups, including women, are met during this crisis. Efforts are underway to ensure inclusive participation of women in relief operations.