Earthquake kills hundreds in Afghanistan

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.