Kabul: Survivors of the devastating earthquakes that struck Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar and Nangarhar provinces on September 1 are refusing to return to their villages, citing persistent fears of landslides triggered by aftershocks and heavy rains.

The twin earthquakes, followed by powerful aftershocks, have killed over 2,200 people and injured more than 3,600. Many homes, built from mud and stone, were flattened, forcing families to take shelter in open fields and along riverbanks without tents or basic protection.

Aid has been slow and insufficient, leaving survivors dependent on makeshift shelters and facing severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical care. Health experts warn that the lack of sanitation and overcrowded temporary shelters could exacerbate the spread of disease, especially among children.

The World Health Organization has called on the Taliban authorities to lift restrictions on female aid workers, allowing them to provide assistance to women who are struggling to access healthcare following the disaster.

The United Nations has allocated \$10 million in emergency aid, but humanitarian agencies stress that much more support is urgently needed. The Taliban administration has appealed for international assistance, but progress remains limited.

As the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the earthquakes, displaced communities face immense challenges in securing shelter, food, and essential medical care while living under the constant threat of further natural disasters.