Afghanistan Earthquake Devastates Kunar Province, Taliban Urge International Aid
Published 1 September 2025
Highlights
- A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing over 900 people and injuring thousands, primarily in Kunar province.
- The Taliban have appealed for international aid as rescue efforts are hampered by rough terrain and inclement weather.
- Entire villages have been destroyed, with many survivors spending nights in the open due to fear of aftershocks.
- The disaster exacerbates Afghanistan's existing economic and humanitarian crises, worsened by aid cuts and Taliban policies.
- Rescue operations are ongoing, but many remote areas remain inaccessible, raising concerns about rising casualties.
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Rewritten Article
Headline: Afghanistan Earthquake Devastates Kunar Province, Taliban Urge International Aid
In the wake of a devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, the death toll has risen to over 900, with thousands more injured. The quake, which hit late Sunday night, has left a trail of destruction across Kunar province, where entire villages have been flattened. Survivors, many of whom spent the night in the open, face a grim reality as rescue operations continue amidst challenging conditions.
Destruction and Desperation in Kunar
The earthquake's epicenter was located near Jalalabad, but the most severe damage occurred in the mountainous Kunar province. The region's rugged terrain and recent flooding have complicated rescue efforts, with many areas still inaccessible. "Entire villages are flattened," a Taliban official in Kunar reported, emphasizing the urgent need to reach the injured.
Taliban's Call for Aid
The Taliban, grappling with Afghanistan's ongoing economic crisis, have appealed for international assistance. Sharafat Zaman, a health ministry spokesperson, highlighted the dire need for aid, stating, "We need it because here lots of people lost their lives and houses." The disaster compounds existing challenges, including a severe drought and a sharp decline in international aid following the Taliban's takeover in 2021.
Rescue Efforts and Humanitarian Needs
Rescue teams, including military units, are working tirelessly to reach remote areas where communication is limited. Helicopters have been deployed to ferry the injured to hospitals, while villagers continue to search for survivors amidst the rubble. "We need ambulances, we need doctors, we need everything to rescue the injured and recover the dead," one survivor pleaded.
A Nation in Crisis
The earthquake has further strained Afghanistan's limited resources, already stretched by the return of deported Afghans from neighboring countries. As the nation reels from this latest disaster, the international community's response will be crucial in addressing the immediate humanitarian needs and supporting long-term recovery efforts.
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Scenario Analysis
The immediate focus for Afghanistan will be on rescue and relief operations, but the long-term implications of this disaster are significant. The Taliban's appeal for international aid may test global willingness to engage with the regime, given the political complexities. Humanitarian organizations face the challenge of delivering aid in a country with limited infrastructure and ongoing security concerns. As the situation unfolds, the international community's response could shape Afghanistan's recovery trajectory and influence future diplomatic relations.
In the wake of a devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, the death toll has risen to over 900, with thousands more injured. The quake, which hit late Sunday night, has left a trail of destruction across Kunar province, where entire villages have been flattened. Survivors, many of whom spent the night in the open, face a grim reality as rescue operations continue amidst challenging conditions.
Destruction and Desperation in Kunar
The earthquake's epicenter was located near Jalalabad, but the most severe damage occurred in the mountainous Kunar province. The region's rugged terrain and recent flooding have complicated rescue efforts, with many areas still inaccessible. "Entire villages are flattened," a Taliban official in Kunar reported, emphasizing the urgent need to reach the injured.
Taliban's Call for Aid
The Taliban, grappling with Afghanistan's ongoing economic crisis, have appealed for international assistance. Sharafat Zaman, a health ministry spokesperson, highlighted the dire need for aid, stating, "We need it because here lots of people lost their lives and houses." The disaster compounds existing challenges, including a severe drought and a sharp decline in international aid following the Taliban's takeover in 2021.
Rescue Efforts and Humanitarian Needs
Rescue teams, including military units, are working tirelessly to reach remote areas where communication is limited. Helicopters have been deployed to ferry the injured to hospitals, while villagers continue to search for survivors amidst the rubble. "We need ambulances, we need doctors, we need everything to rescue the injured and recover the dead," one survivor pleaded.
A Nation in Crisis
The earthquake has further strained Afghanistan's limited resources, already stretched by the return of deported Afghans from neighboring countries. As the nation reels from this latest disaster, the international community's response will be crucial in addressing the immediate humanitarian needs and supporting long-term recovery efforts.
What this might mean
The immediate focus for Afghanistan will be on rescue and relief operations, but the long-term implications of this disaster are significant. The Taliban's appeal for international aid may test global willingness to engage with the regime, given the political complexities. Humanitarian organizations face the challenge of delivering aid in a country with limited infrastructure and ongoing security concerns. As the situation unfolds, the international community's response could shape Afghanistan's recovery trajectory and influence future diplomatic relations.
