Humanitarian needs following the eathquake in Afghanistan

On August 31st at 11:47pm local time, a powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, devastating communities across five provinces. The destruction was especially severe in Nurgal and Sawkai Districts in Kunar, where entire villages were reduced to rubble. More than 1,100 lives have been lost, nearly 3,000 people injured, and over 56,000 affected. Landslides triggered by the quake have blocked roads and isolated communities, leaving families cut off from life-saving aid. The threat of displaced explosive ordnance has further endangered survivors and responders, compounding the already fragile conditions in these areas.
Humanitarian needs are urgent and multifaceted. Search and rescue operations are underway, but access remains limited. Emergency medical support, shelter, food, and clean water are immediate assistance focus. The management of the dead poses a significant challenge, and road clearance is critical to restoring humanitarian access and enabling relief efforts to reach those most in need.
The ICRC, working in close coordination with the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and the IFRC, is actively responding to the crisis.
To date, emergency medical kits have been donated to Nangarhar Regional Hospital and Kunar Provincial Hospital to treat injured patients. These kits are designed to treat at least 500 people, and depending on the severity of injuries, can support up to 1,500 patients. Nangarhar Regional Hospital has reported receiving 80 injured individuals, including 20 severely injured. In response, the ICRC will donate one intravenous package, one dressing package, and one oral package to support treatment. Kunar Provincial Hospital has received 102 patients, 26 of whom are severely injured. To assist, the ICRC provided intravenous and dressing packages, other medical supplies. Additionally, the ARCS branch office in Kunar has also received intravenous and dressing packages, which will be distributed in the affected areas through mobile health teams.
We’ve provided body bags and forensic support and technical advice to ensure the safe and dignified management of the dead. This support also extends to ARCS staff working in the field, equipping them with the necessary PPE to carry out this difficult task safely.
We distributed emergency kits and phones to help reconnect families, and mobilized cash grants to assist 1,500 affected households. Financial support is being provided to ARCS to strengthen their response capacity and meet the evolving needs of affected communities.
Physical rehabilitation centers are receiving patients, and a cash-for-work program is being launched to clear debris and rehabilitate irrigation canals.
The situation on the ground is changing rapidly, and the ICRC may adjust its assistance focus as new priorities emerge. Our response builds on decades of trust and partnership—since 1987, the ICRC has been present in Afghanistan, working to strengthen health systems, support violence-affected communities, and uphold dignity for those in detention.

We remain guided solely by humanitarian principles and are committed to ensuring that women are part of the design and delivery of assistance. Many of our female colleagues continue to work in health, rehabilitation, and field operations, and their full participation is essential to our mission in Afghanistan and around the world.

Your support today can help restore hope and resilience to families who’ve lost everything. Thank you for standing with us—and with the people of Afghanistan—in this time of urgent need.