"Disaster and Despair: Afghanistan Earthquake Toll Surpasses 1,400 as Damaged Roads Hamper Relief Efforts

In a country already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Afghanistan, unleashing a new wave of devastation. The Taliban government, through its spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, announced on "X" (formerly Twitter) that the death toll has tragically climbed to over 1,400, with more than 3,000 injured. The main shock, which occurred on Sunday and Monday, was followed by five strong aftershocks, impacting remote and rugged areas in the provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman.

The rescue and relief efforts have been met with immense challenges due to the remote, mountainous terrain and the widespread damage to infrastructure. Indrika Ratwatte, the UN's Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, confirmed in a press conference in Kabul that damaged roads pose the "biggest challenge" for aid teams. He noted that "a significant number of landslides and rockfalls" occurred, severely limiting access during the first 24 hours and forcing relief teams to rely heavily on helicopters.

Limited International Response Amidst a Worsening Crisis

In response to the catastrophe, the European Union has pledged €1 million in emergency funding and 130 tons of relief supplies for Afghanistan. Hajja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, stated that the emergency funding will be directed to humanitarian partners already operating on the ground, and the supplies will include tents, clothing, medical equipment, and water purification devices. This new aid comes in addition to the €161 million the EU has already provided this year to support humanitarian organizations in the country.

This assistance arrives at a critical time, as Afghanistan is facing a severe financial and humanitarian crisis due to significant cuts in international aid. Following the spending of $3.71 billion since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Washington drastically cut its aid in January 2025. Similarly, the UN heavily reduced its assistance in June 2025 following "the worst funding cuts" from donor countries, which are generally hesitant to provide aid to Afghanistan under Taliban rule. These financial cuts have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation, particularly in the affected areas that had recently received a large number of Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan, making them even more vulnerable to the earthquake's devastating impact.