On August 31, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, devastating villages and triggering landslides across four provinces – Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan, and Laghman. These areas were already under severe strain from poverty, drought, and displacement, leaving families especially vulnerable to the disaster and its aftershocks.
The toll has been immense: more than 2,200 lives lost, over 3,600 people injured, and around 500,000 people directly affected. At least 6,700 homes have been destroyed, forcing many survivors to spend nights without shelter. With limited food, inconsistent access to safe water, and winter approaching, the risk of disease is rising.
Access into the mountains remains difficult, and some communities are still waiting for assistance. Despite these challenges, local ADRA Afghanistan staff are on the ground in the affected provinces conducting assessments and responding where possible. They report catastrophic destruction and urgent needs for food, clean water, shelter, and hygiene supplies.
There is a network-wide ADRA response underway, with offices across the globe supporting the efforts of local teams. Because of the generosity of supporters, ADRA has been able to contribute to these coordinated efforts, ensuring that families in some of the hardest-hit areas are not left to face this crisis alone.