Attachments
BACKGROUND
On August 31, 2025, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, causing devastation in Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan, and Nangarhar provinces, and was felt as far away as Kabul. An estimated 498,000 people have been affected, with at least 2,205 deaths, 3,640 people injured, 6,782 houses destroyed, and 21 health facilities damaged. Entire villages with mud-built houses collapsed, leaving families without shelter, safe water, or basic services.
The disaster struck an already fragile health system weakened by years of conflict, underfunding, and staff shortages. Health facilities in the affected provinces are overwhelmed, with limited trauma care, referral systems, and surgical capacity. Outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea, dengue fever, malaria, measles, and CCHF are ongoing, while the upcoming winter season is expected to increase cases of respiratory infections.
The earthquake has worsened mental health issues as communities face grief, trauma, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. Pregnant women, infants, older adults, and people with chronic conditions are especially vulnerable. One-third of the population in the affected districts is estimated to live with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses. For these patients, losing medicines, prescriptions, or assistive devices poses life-threatening risks if treatment stops.
This flash appeal is fully aligned with the health component of the UN inter-agency Flash Appeal, ensuring consistency across humanitarian interventions.
Funding is requested for an initial six-month response (September 2025 – March 2026) to save lives, reduce morbidity, and maintain continuity of life-saving and essential services.