Strong earthquake reported today in Afghanistan, measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale, with the event occurring just a day after a more substantial 6.2 quake
In the early hours of September 2, 2025, an earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck Afghanistan, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The epicentre of the earthquake was located in the remote Shiwa district near the Pakistan border, according to Naqibullah Rahimi, a spokesperson for the health department in Nangarhar province.
The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, causing extensive damage to numerous villages and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Over 6,700 homes have been destroyed, and the death toll currently stands at over 2,200 people, with more than 3,600 injured. The United Nations has warned that the death toll may increase as the window for finding survivors quickly closes.
Thousands of people have been displaced due to the earthquake, and many are still trapped beneath the debris. The earthquake caused landslides and blocked access to remote villages, making rescue operations and the delivery of aid more challenging.
In response to this disaster, several organizations have mobilized to provide relief and support to the affected communities. Organizations involved in the earthquake relief efforts in Afghanistan include Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, the German Red Cross (DRK), the United Nations Refugee Agency, Caritas International, and local Afghan support groups.
Help has provided cash assistance for shelter, food, drinking water, and firewood to those in need. The United Nations Refugee Agency has delivered over 1,000 tons of relief supplies, including tents, water containers, blankets, gas stoves, tarps, and solar lamps. Caritas has provided immediate medical assistance and rescue operations with helicopters, while local Afghan organizations have set up camps to shelter displaced persons. The DRK is expanding its humanitarian aid focused on affected provinces like Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman, providing urgent shelter and medical support to thousands of homeless and vulnerable people.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has stated that humanitarian needs are "vast and growing rapidly" due to the earthquake. The United Nations World Food Programme has enough funding and supplies to assist survivors of the earthquake for only four more weeks.
As the relief efforts continue, it is crucial to remain vigilant and support the affected communities in any way possible. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but with the help of international organizations and local support groups, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disaster.
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