On Tuesday, September 2nd, eastern Afghanistan was struck by an earthquake that caused widespread devastation in the region, to a degree that will take some time to fully understand the full extent of the disaster’s consequences. With hundreds dead — more than 1,400 people so far — and thousands injured and still missing, the country, already scarred by decades of war, now faces another challenge: dealing with one of the greatest natural disasters in its history.
Isolated communities and fading hopes
The epicenter of the magnitude 6.0 earthquake was recorded near the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, which are characterized by mountainous terrain, making access difficult. Many ordinary mud and brick houses, characteristic of the affected villages in the region, were destroyed, turning into large piles of mud and stone. Local residents report that entire families have been lost and remain missing.
“I lost everything,” village elder, 80-year-old Gul Bibi, painfully recounted his losses, adding that his family was buried alive, “Just this grandson survived.”
Rescues under obstacles and hope at risk
In addition to the extensive territorial destruction, plans to effectively deal with the tragedy also continue to face enormous challenges. Many vital roads are completely blocked by heavy debris from the earthquake, further hindering essential access to the region, which is already geographically remote and difficult to properly access. Severe difficulties in the safe arrival of ambulances and supply trucks to provide urgent services and deliver life-saving supplies to the vulnerable population are among the crucial factors hindering progress in ongoing relief efforts in the devastated cities.
Rescue teams, including local authorities, volunteers, and international organizations, face numerous limitations in reaching affected areas and effectively mitigating the disaster’s impacts. Government helicopters have made dozens of flights to transport the injured to regional hospitals, but the number of victims far exceeds the teams’ response capacity.
International aid arrives, but is still insufficient
According to the UN, the disaster was so severe that its consequences could impact hundreds of thousands of people. Children and the elderly, in particular, are in an extremely vulnerable situation, exposed to the cold, lack of drinking water, and the consequent risk of contracting diseases. UNICEF has already sent medicine, clothing, and hygiene kits, but the need for these supplies has grown increasingly greater.
Several countries have announced emergency support. The European Union has promised to send tons of supplies, as well as financial aid. India has sent food and tents, and neighboring countries like Iran and Pakistan have also signaled assistance. Even so, with external assistance from several nations, the necessary level of aid is not arriving in time. The scarcity of domestic resources and cuts in international funding following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 are exacerbating the crisis.
“This earthquake could not have come at a worse time,” declared Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the Red Cross.
A tragedy in an already fragile country
In addition to the widespread destruction, the devastating earthquake highlights the deep structural vulnerability of Afghanistan, a nation that has endured decades of war and continues grappling with numerous social problems, including widespread poverty, severe droughts, and limited healthcare access. The chronic lack of preparedness, combined with the absence of essential basic structures for disaster contingencies, further aggravated and magnified the tragic consequences of this unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
The need for international aid grows ever greater as survivors search for shelter and supplies, and the number of missing people continues to rise. Afghanistan’s current situation is one of mourning, with significant population loss and the constant fear of further earthquakes, the country must find the strength to rebuild in parallel.