Six months after the devastating earthquake in Kunar province, Afghanistan, thousands of families remain in limbo, living in tents or makeshift shelters through harsh winter conditions. Despite initial emergency support from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and other humanitarian organisations, funding shortages are forcing key services to scale back or close, leaving families without proper shelter, food, and essential services.
The 31 August 2025 earthquake destroyed 8,000 homes and affected nearly half a million people, with 186,000 assessed as needing emergency shelter and non-food items. While NRC provided life-saving tents, clean water, food, healthcare, and winterisation support to more than 60,000 people in Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces, the funding gap has left long-term needs unmet. Emergency shelter and non-food items are critically underfunded, with just 0.9% of the required $160 million delivered so far in 2026, leaving Afghans trapped in a cycle of displacement and vulnerability.
Humanitarian leaders warn that without urgent international support, many families may be forced to relocate elsewhere in Afghanistan, adding to displacement and distress. While short-term emergency tents helped families survive the immediate aftermath, longer-term interventions such as permanent shelters, water and sanitation infrastructure, and livelihood support are now essential to help survivors rebuild their lives and regain stability.
