A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night. Over 1,400 people died, and more than 3,000 were injured. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue in the most affected provinces like Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman and Nuristan. Entire villages were destroyed, leaving survivors to dig through rubble with their bare hands. Emergency teams and helicopters are struggling to reach remote areas due to landslides and blocked roads.
Human Impact
- Thousands of homes, mainly made from mud-brick and wood, have collapsed. Survivors are left vulnerable and are scrambling for basic aid.
- Injured residents have walked for hours to reach local hospitals. Many are unable to get medical help because the terrain is impassable and phone connectivity is poor.
- In Kunar province alone, more than 8,000 homes were destroyed.
- A second earthquake, measuring 5.2 struck the region just days later. This added to the devastation and made relief efforts even more difficult.
Rescue and Relief Operations
- Afghan authorities sent helicopters to airlift the injured. Commandos were dropped into inaccessible villages to look for survivors
- International organizations like the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and CARE have launched emergency responses. They are distributing food, medicine, water, and temporary shelters.
- The United Nations and the UK announced allocations for humanitarian aid. However, years of reduced Western support and the Taliban’s limited international recognition have hampered a strong global response.
Calls for Help
- The Taliban government has asked the international community for urgent assistance. They admitted they lack resources and warned that humanitarian needs are greater than those from past disasters
- Local and international aid officials are worried that thousands remain trapped under collapsed homes. Time is running out to find survivors.
Risk and Background
- Afghanistan is on several active fault lines and has experienced frequent deadly earthquakes in recent decades
- The nation was already facing severe drought, poverty and cuts to aid before this recent disaster.
The Indian government played a vital humanitarian role
- After the Afghanistan earthquake in September 2025 India responded quickly with significant relief aid and diplomatic outreach.
- India was the first country to deliver emergency relief, airlifting 21 tonnes of aid to Kabul. This included blankets, tents, hygiene kits, water storage tanks, generators, kitchen utensils, portable water purifiers, sleeping bags, essential medicines, wheelchairs and water purification tablets to address the urgent needs of survivors.
- Earlier, India sent an initial shipment of 1,000 family tents and 15 tonnes of food, mostly rice, to provide immediate shelter and nutrition to the hardest-hit areas. This effort involved close collaboration with Afghan and international agencies for quick distribution.
- The Ministry of External Affairs and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that India would monitor the situation and send more aid if needed.
Diplomatic Efforts and Messages
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, pledged support and promised “all possible humanitarian aid and relief” for affected Afghans. This reinforced India’s commitment as a responsible regional partner.
- The Indian and Afghan foreign ministers discussed the evolving situation and coordinated aid delivery. Afghan authorities acknowledged and thanked India for its swift support.
- India’s quick intervention set an example for the international community and spurred further global promises of aid.
Afghan officials stated that India’s assistance was crucial for alleviating suffering in remote, devastated villages. This support was especially significant as the country faced resource and infrastructure challenges following the disaster. visit here
India’s proactive and compassionate response highlights its key role in regional disaster relief. It also strengthens long-standing humanitarian and diplomatic ties with Afghanistan during this tragic crisis. But This tragedy shows Afghanistan’s vulnerability, the resilience of its people and the urgent need for ongoing global humanitarian support. for more world news link yourself here
