Eastern Afghanistan Earthquake (Kunar)
The August 31st Kunar earthquake devastated eastern Afghanistan, killing over 2,200 people and destroying thousands of homes in remote mountain villages.
A powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Kunar Province, Afghanistan, late on August 31, 2025, devastating the mountainous Nurgal District and surrounding areas. The shallow quake, only about 8 km deep, caused widespread destruction across Kunar and neighboring provinces, leveling thousands of homes and triggering landslides that cut off remote villages, causing many deaths and many more injuries, with thousands displaced and living in temporary shelters. Rescue and relief efforts face significant challenges due to rugged terrain, damaged roads, and limited resources, while survivors urgently need food, water, medical care, and shelter as winter approaches.
Damage and impact
- The death toll rose to about 2,200+ people (official figures from the Taliban-run government) with at least 3,600 injuries.
- Thousands of homes were destroyed or severely damaged — for example, more than 6,700 homes were reported destroyed in initial assessments.
- The hardest-hit areas were mountainous, remote valleys in Kunar, where houses are typically made of mud-brick/stone and roads are challenging.
- Rescue efforts were hampered by landslides, blocked roads, rough terrain, and the fact that many villages were cut-off and only reachable on foot or by helicopter.
Mass Deportation of Afghans from Iran
Hundreds of Thousands Forced Back into Danger
In recent months, the Government of Iran has initiated mass deportations of Afghan refugees, ordering all undocumented Afghans—many of whom have lived in Iran for decades—to leave or face arrest. As a result, over 450,000 Afghans have been forced to return since June 2025, including pregnant women, children, and elderly citizens. Many are arriving in western Afghanistan dehydrated, disoriented, and empty-handed, with no place to live, no means of support, and no safety net.
These are not just numbers. These are families torn apart, young girls losing their futures, and mothers with babies sleeping in the dirt at overcrowded border crossings.
Under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, girls are banned from attending school past 6th grade; Women cannot travel without a male guardian; Employment is virtually impossible for women; Survivors of violence and single mothers face extreme stigma and isolation Returning to this environment—especially without shelter, food, or support—is not “going home.” It’s being thrown into a humanitarian disaster.
Herat Earthquake (October 7, 2023)
Over two thousand lives were lost, over 10,000 people were injured, and the houses of 12 villages were completely leveled to the ground.
Herat, one of the major cities in Western Afghanistan, suffered significant damage from a series of earthquakes on October 7th, 2023.
Afghanistan has been ravaged by conflict for decades, and its ability to respond to natural disasters has been further hampered since the international aid groups pulled out, creating a deep economic crisis.
The survivors are facing an unprecedented crisis, and our initiative aims to provide essential aid and support.
Following the devastating earthquake that struck Herat province on October 7, 2023, the Afghan Relief Alliance (ARA) Foundation continues to lead meaningful and impactful humanitarian efforts. In its latest initiative, ARA has distributed six residential containers, each divided into two separate housing units, providing secure shelter to 12 vulnerable families—most of whom are women-led households with children and no access to permanent housing.
The housing units were expertly designed by Eng. Amin Mahmood, an ARA member engineer, with a focus on safety, comfort, and sustainability. Each unit includes:
• Thermally insulated walls and flooring for year-round protection,
• Pre-installed electrical wiring for lighting and power outlets,
• Compatibility with solar energy systems,
• Weather-resistant structure designed for long-term use.
To ensure access to clean water, ARA also constructed a deep-water well on-site. This well now provides safe drinking water for all 12 families and is also connected to a newly built system of detached bathrooms—ensuring hygienic sanitation for the residents while respecting cultural privacy and family needs.
The keys to the new homes were handed over during a heartfelt on-site ceremony, where families expressed their appreciation and hope for a better future. This initiative marks a vital phase in ARA’s long-term commitment to earthquake recovery in western Afghanistan.
Additional residential containers are currently under construction, and ARA plans to expand the site’s infrastructure with solar power installations and other community facilities.
We sincerely thank International Orphan Care (IOC) and the Aschiana Foundation for their generous support and partnership in making this project a reality.