A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 800 people across four provinces. The disaster has caused widespread destruction to homes and health infrastructure, compounding an already dire situation in the region. Many of the worst-hit areas have been completely devastated, with entire villages wiped out. Prior to the earthquake, heavy rains and flooding had already made much of the mountainous terrain inaccessible, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.
According to Sherine Ibrahim, the Afghanistan Director for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the scale of humanitarian needs from this earthquake is expected to exceed those caused by the Herat earthquakes of 2023. Within the first twelve hours of the disaster, at least 2,000 people were reported injured, and numerous roads and communities were cut off from essential services, including hospitals and nearby towns.
In response to the crisis, the IRC is initiating emergency operations in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces, where it already has an established presence. Mobile health teams will be deployed to the most affected areas to deliver critical services, such as first aid, maternal and newborn healthcare, and the distribution of essential medicines and medical supplies.
Afghanistan was already in the midst of a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 22.9 million people in urgent need of aid even before the earthquake struck. The IRC has been active in the country since 1988, supporting thousands of villages across eight provinces. Its efforts include community-led development projects, education services in rural areas, health care for remote communities, clean water and sanitation, emergency shelter, cash support for displaced families, and programs aimed at building long-term resilience and livelihoods.
The humanitarian response is being further challenged by global funding cuts, which threaten to deepen the crisis. Millions of Afghans are now at even greater risk of hunger, illness, and displacement due to reduced financial support.
The International Rescue Committee works globally to support people affected by crises, helping them survive, recover, and rebuild. Its programs span more than 40 countries and include health care, education, economic empowerment, and refugee resettlement, with a strong emphasis on meeting the specific needs of women and girls.
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