1,400+
0
killed
3,000+
0
injured
12,000+
0
impacted
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Powerful earthquakes reduce entire villages to rubble in Afghanistan
A powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday, August 31, devastating the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar and causing widespread destruction.
As of September 1, over 1,400+ people have been confirmed dead, and over 3,000 are injured. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
Entire villages have been reduced to rubble, and many areas remain inaccessible due to landslides and damaged infrastructure. Rescue teams are working tirelessly, but the challenging terrain and limited resources are hindering efforts.
Islamic Relief is on the ground providing emergency life-saving aid, but we need your help to do more.
How will your donations help Afghanistan?
You can help ease the burden of catastrophic earthquakes and the ongoing refugee crisis by donating towards our life-saving work in communities for families across Afghanistan.
You can send relief to earthquake-affected communities today:
- $150 can provide a family with an emergency food pack
- $200 can provide medicines and medical supplies to reach earthquake-affected people
- $300 can provide provide a tent and shelter items to a displaced family
The Crisis in Afghanistan
2.8 million Afghans are already on the verge of facing a catastrophic famine, and their lives are at stake. The situation is further compounded by a collapsing economy and rising poverty, and with harsh natural disasters and climate conditions – the situation is getting more desperate by the day.
The head of the World Food Programme has described the situation unfolding in Afghanistan as “the worst humanitarian crisis on earth”
Even prior to recent deadly earthquakes, nearly two-thirds of the population relied on humanitarian aid for survival.
For people across Afghanistan, life is incredibly challenging:
- 18.8 million people across all 34 provinces in Afghanistan are experiencing crisis level or high food insecurity
- 1 out of every 5 families in Afghanistan have been forced to send their children out to work
- 97% of Afghans are at risk of poverty
- 3 million children under five are expected to suffer from malnutrition, and 1 million of these children are at risk of dying
The earthquake has exacerbated these challenges, destroying entire villages, cutting off mountain communities, and overwhelming already strained resources.
Islamic Relief on the ground in Afghanistan
Islamic Relief has been a leading charity in Afghanistan since 1992. We were one of the few charities working in Afghanistan during the military incursions, and we have offices in Kabul, Herat, Bamyan, Nangarhar, and Balkh.
Together with local communities, government agencies, and partners on the ground, we’re working to tackle food insecurity, poverty, poor sanitation and hygiene practices, and more.
And yet, there is still so much more that needs to be done.
Our current response to the earthquakes includes:
- Essential health services, including the immediate treatment of injuries as well as psychosocial programming and mental health support
- Providing cooked meals and safe drinking water
- Cash assistance for affected families
- Offering temporary shelter for displaced families
- Delivering hygiene kits and installing portable latrines
Donate to Afghanistan and help us bring urgent relief today.