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SITUATION OVERVIEW
On 31 August 2025, a powerful earthquake struck four provinces in eastern Afghanistan, causing extensive destruction and loss of life, especially in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces. Reports from multi-sectoral needs assessments (MSRAF) as of 9 September indicate 2,164 deaths, 3,428 injuries and 7,154 homes destroyed. According to the initial MSRAF assessments, the most severely affected districts include Nurgal and Chawkay (Kunar), Dara-e- Nur (Nangarhar), and parts of Laghman. Of the 7,154 shelters damaged, 83% are fully destroyed with 16% severely damaged. A significant number of affected families are currently residing in makeshift shelters in open spaces, while others have sought refuge with relatives in nearby villages. Access remains challenging due to mountainous terrain, blocked roads, landslides, and limited communications, with some of the most affected areas only reachable by several hours on foot. According to IOM Afghanistan’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment (ACVA), the 12 affected districts across Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces are home to an estimated 3.76 million people, including 301,278 internally displaced persons (IDPs), 112,980 IDP returnees and 376,598 returnees from abroad.
The preliminary assessments indicate a concerning public health situation. The disaster has led to widespread trauma and outbreaks of communicable diseases, including diarrhea and respiratory infections. Vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and infants, face elevated risks due to disrupted health services, with two health facilities damaged. Over 3,000 additional disease cases have been reported as of 4 September 2025, indicating broader health deterioration. The situation is further compounded by the increased risk of individuals experiencing distress or severe mental health conditions as a consequence of the adverse events associated with earthquakes, displacement, and loss.
The initial multi-sectoral rapid needs assessments conducted between 1 and 4 September indicate significant infrastructure damage in the affected areas. Among the eight health service delivery points in the affected areas, two facilities have sustained structural damage, while the remaining six are operational but critically understocked in essential medicines and supplies. The earthquake also destroyed or severely damaged four schools, four check dams, 15 water supply networks, and 10 water points.
The disaster compounds Afghanistan’s ongoing crises, with over 1.7 million recent returns from Iran and Pakistan and widespread economic hardship. This will be further exacerbated by severe winter conditions as the temperature falls below 0°C with communities residing in mountainous areas experiencing even colder extremes. With winter approaching, thousands of families are now left without safe shelter, heightening the risk of further humanitarian consequences.
IOM teams are already on the ground providing emergency assistance to earthquake-affected populations; however, recent cuts in humanitarian aid have severely constrained capacity. At present, IOM can support up to 12,000 families with emergency assistance, including cash nationwide, noting that there are concurrent flood responses in several provinces. While only preliminary data is currently available, further assessments are underway, and the scale of destruction and humanitarian needs is expected to be significantly higher.
IOM requires USD 16,800,000 to address the urgent shelter, WASH, health, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and protection needs of the affected communities; to ensure access to community and public infrastructures to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid; and to initiate community engagement and participatory planning to enable sustainable recovery and community resilience. The appeal will follow a phased response plan with IOM integrating a “Solutions from the Start” approach, with proposed interventions to include community-based planning for recovery, community-led initiatives, restoration and rehabilitation of community and public infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction interventions, including capacity building on community-based disaster risk management. This appeal is in alignment with the UN’s Appeal for Eastern Afghanistan Earthquake Response Plan issued by OCHA on 09 September 2025.