A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late on August 31, causing severe destruction in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. According to officials, this is the third major quake since the Taliban took control in 2021, worsening the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.
Afghanistan Earthquake Details
Time & Epicenter: The earthquake hit around midnight local time, with its epicenter in Kuz Kunar District, Nangarhar, about 27 km from Jalalabad. Tremors were felt as far as Kabul, Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore, and Delhi.
Seismic Activity: Afghanistan lies in a seismically active region. The Afghanistan earthquake, Taliban officials confirmed at least 17 aftershocks, including two above magnitude 5.2. The shallow depth of 8–10 km caused strong surface shaking, collapsing many mud-brick homes.
Casualties: By September 2, the death toll reached 1,124 with more than 3,500 injured, according to the Afghan Red Crescent Society and the Taliban health ministry. Kunar province reported the highest losses with nearly 800 deaths.
Destruction: Entire villages such as Mazar-e-Dara and Shomash were destroyed. More than 1,000 houses collapsed, roads were blocked by landslides, and heavy rains worsened rescue operations.
Afghanistan Earthquake: Taliban’s Request for Foreign Help
The Taliban government appealed for urgent international aid to respond to the earthquake.
Health Ministry: Spokesperson Sharafat Zaman said ambulances, medical supplies, and rescue equipment are urgently required.
Zabihullah Mujahid: The Taliban spokesman asked donors to set aside politics and provide humanitarian aid.
Foreign Affairs: Officials confirmed appeals to countries including Russia, China, and Iran, as well as requests through the United Nations.
The Afghanistan earthquake Taliban appeal highlights the country’s limited capacity, worsened by sanctions, reduced aid flows, drought, and the forced return of millions of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran.
International Response So Far
United Kingdom: Announced £1 million in emergency funding, distributed through UNFPA and the International Red Cross.
India: Delivered 1,000 tents and 15 metric tons of food supplies to affected provinces.
China: Pledged to provide relief based on Afghanistan’s needs.
Iran: Offered medical supplies and humanitarian support.
European Union and Japan: Announced unspecified contributions.
United States: Expressed condolences but has not announced aid.
UN and Red Cross: Mobilizing relief, though funding for Afghanistan has dropped sharply from $3.8 billion in 2022 to $767 million in 2025.
The earthquake adds to Afghanistan’s pre-existing crises. Over 22 million people already require humanitarian aid, and about 85% of Afghans live on less than $1 a day. With deportations, drought, and past earthquakes in Paktika (2022) and Herat (2023), resources are already stretched thin.
Rescue operations continue with Taliban helicopters and Afghan Red Crescent teams, but officials warn that without immediate foreign assistance, the death toll will rise further. The Afghanistan earthquake Taliban appeal is expected to push for a UN-led donor conference as agencies prepare for possible disease outbreaks and worsening humanitarian conditions.
