UN Reports on Catastrophic Aftermath of Afghanistan Earthquake

Tue Oct 21 2025 07:12:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Initial assessments reveal extensive destruction and urgent humanitarian needs in the wake of a devastating earthquake that hit Afghanistan, leaving thousands displaced and in dire conditions.

A United Nations evaluation of the recent 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan has found significant damage across at least 49 villages. More than 5,200 homes have been destroyed, and up to 500,000 individuals, predominantly children, are affected. The country's challenging terrain and ongoing aftershocks have hindered relief efforts. Urgent needs include clean water, food, and proper shelter as winter approaches.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A preliminary United Nations assessment following Afghanistan's recent devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake has highlighted a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. More than 5,230 homes have been destroyed, and at least 672 others have sustained damage across 49 villages. However, the U.N. has yet to reach a significant number of remote areas impacted by the quake.

Shannon O’Hara, the coordination chief for the U.N. humanitarian office in Afghanistan, explained that damaged roads have severely affected access to 441 villages that were shaken by the earthquake. Compounding the situation are aftershocks ranging from 5.2 to 5.6 in magnitude, which have hindered relief efforts.

Officially, the earthquake, which struck on August 31, has claimed at least 2,200 lives, although that number may rise as recovery operations continue. The U.N. estimates that as many as 500,000 people have been affected by the disaster, many of whom are children, including Afghans forcibly returned from neighboring Pakistan and Iran.

For context, O’Hara noted that she took over six hours to travel from Jalalabad, the nearest major city to the earthquake's epicenter, to the hardest-hit areas, navigating a narrow mountain road obstructed by landslides and large rocks.

As O’Hara described the situation, many families displaced by the catastrophe have been seen walking away from the epicenter, carrying what few belongings they could salvage while still in the same clothes they wore during the earthquake. The destruction worsens closer to the center, revealing entire villages decimated and the stench of dead livestock lingering in the air. Those who have lost homes and livelihoods are living in crowded tents or under the open sky, exposed to the elements.

Access to clean drinking water is nonexistent, and cholera is endemic in the region, with initial assessments showing that 92% of affected communities practice open defecation, which raises concerns about an impending cholera outbreak.

O’Hara emphasized the urgent need for clean water, food, tents, latrines, and warm clothing as winter rapidly approaches. During her visits to displacement camps, women specifically highlighted their needs for safe water and proper clothing for themselves and their children.

As the rainy season begins, risks of flash flooding threaten the valleys where camps are set up. Furthermore, ongoing aftershocks could trigger landslides, complicating access to communities still near the epicenter. O’Hara stressed the need for immediate action, noting that winter snowfall could further isolate these vulnerable mountain communities.

The United Nations plans to issue an emergency appeal for funding to support earthquake survivors, according to O’Hara. While the Taliban has led the search and rescue operations, there have been no significant reported barriers to humanitarian efforts. Importantly, O’Hara noted that measures have been taken to ensure women are included in health and aid distribution teams.