Earthquake Emergency in Eastern Afghanistan

On August 31, 2025, at approximately midnight, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake shook eastern Afghanistan. When the earthquake struck, its impact was so severe that houses collapsed on sleeping families. While the devastation would not be fully known for days to come, everyone in the region felt the immediate tragedy in the sudden loss of family members, friends, and neighbors.

Roughly a week after the initial earthquake, it is estimated that more than 2,200 people have died, 3,640 were injured, and at least 6,700 homes were either partially or fully destroyed. To date, a staggering 84,000 people have been impacted by the earthquake. These heartbreaking statistics make this earthquake more severe than the Herat earthquake that occurred less than two years ago, when over 2,000 people in the region lost their lives.

The impact of this most recent earthquake has been exacerbated by the heavy rains the region experienced days before the earthquake hit. The saturated ground resulted in structures crumbling around people with shocking ease and forced family members to try and dig out loved ones before they suffocated under the weight of debris. Landslides and rockslides that occurred after the earthquake have hindered rescue efforts.

The areas most impacted by the earthquake are the eastern provinces of Afghanistan, Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Kunar, with Kunar being the hardest hit.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has reported that 2.5 million Afghans have returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan from neighboring countries this year. Roughly 24% of the returnees from Pakistan settled in Nangarhar province, which is among the hardest hit areas by the earthquake. These recent returnees, who were already dealing with the uncertainty of resettlement, are facing unfathomable hardships in the wake of the earthquake.

UNHCR immediately deployed 20 emergency assessment teams alongside 15 mobile teams to the region to assess the impact and provide aid. They have provided emergency shelter, essential non-food items such as tents, blankets, and cooking sets, as well as cash assistance. The UNHCR is also working closely with its partners to ensure earthquake victims receive coordinated support related to the provision of food, healthcare, clean water, and sanitation.

In response to this tragedy, The Khaled Hosseini Foundation will match all donations made until September 17th to fund UNHCR's earthquake relief efforts in Afghanistan. We hope you will consider lending your support to bring desperately needed humanitarian aid to the victims of this horrific tragedy.

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Photo Credit: Photos 1,2,4: UNHCR/ARWEO and Photo 2: UNHCR/Oxygen Media Empire