Jalalabad: Afghanistan is reeling from a series of powerful earthquakes that have flattened entire villages in its eastern provinces, leaving more than 1,400 people dead and thousands injured. The first 6.0-magnitude tremor struck near midnight on August 31, shaking buildings across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Just two days later, a second quake measuring 5.2 magnitudes struck near Jalalabad, deepening the humanitarian crisis and pushing fragile rescue operations to the brink.
Local authorities and aid workers report that over 5,400 homes have been destroyed, with remote mountain communities suffering catastrophic losses. In villages such as Dewagul Valley, Wadir, Mazar Dara, and Areet, entire families were wiped out, with survivors resorting to burying victims using pickaxes and shovels. In some districts, casualty rates have reached alarming levels, with nearly 90% of residents killed or injured. The Taliban government has deployed security forces and rescue teams, but the scale of destruction has overwhelmed available resources.
Children remain among the most vulnerable in the aftermath of the disaster. The World Health Organization and UNICEF have warned of looming secondary crises, including malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and psychological trauma, as thousands of families remain displaced without access to safe drinking water, shelter, or healthcare. The rugged terrain of the Marrah Mountains and recurring landslides have further complicated rescue and relief efforts.
International assistance has begun trickling in, though far short of the urgent need. India has dispatched tents and more than 15 tonnes of relief materials, while Britain has pledged £1 million to aid the response. China, the European Union, Iran, Pakistan, and the UAE have also promised support. Yet destroyed bridges, blocked roads, and poor weather conditions continue to slow aid deliveries, leaving many communities cut off.
The quakes have struck a nation already battling deep economic isolation and a crippled healthcare system. Since the Taliban’s return to power, international aid has sharply declined, weakening Afghanistan’s capacity to respond to natural disasters. Humanitarian agencies have described the quake zone as “a black hole” of suffering, with little infrastructure or medical support to absorb the shock of such massive loss.
As survivors sift through rubble in search of loved ones, Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture. The death toll is expected to rise further, and the ability of the international community to respond swiftly may determine whether thousands more lives can be saved in the days to come.