The massive earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31 destroyed over 6,700 houses and killed more than 2,200 people in the mountainous Kunar Province alone. With roads severed and rescue efforts hampered, local staff from AAR Japan’s Kabul office entered the disaster area and began emergency relief operations. Here is a report from the field.

After a nine-hour journey from the capital Kabul, we reached Nurgal District in Kunar Province. Traditional sun-dried brick houses were destroyed across the board, and mountain villages lay devastated. Many villagers who lost their homes have taken refuge in temporary tents. Additionally, due to large aftershocks continuing intermittently, residents of houses that barely avoided collapse are also spending their nights outdoors.

Mohammad Sardin, 48, recounted, “We were struck by violent shaking in the middle of the night and lost everything in an instant. Our belongings remain buried under the rubble, impossible to dig out.” He continued, “My entire family is living in a single small tent as evacuees, but the temperature drops significantly at night. Clean drinking water and food are limited. Sometimes we go to sleep hungry without eating anything, and the children have fallen ill.”

This disaster, described as the worst earthquake damage in decades, is estimated to have affected approximately 84,000 people. Even now, more than a week later, as relief efforts finally gain momentum, securing drinking water remains particularly difficult. The recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas remain completely uncertain.
AAR is rushing to prepare for the distribution of food, water, and hygiene supplies to disaster survivors by procuring them from nearby areas. However, roads are severed in numerous places, causing delays in the transport of relief supplies, and it appears that actual distribution will still take some time.

Mr. Mohammad told AAR field staff visiting disaster survivors to assess their needs, “Thank you for listening to us. We are deeply grateful for the support coming from the people of Japan.”

Kunar Province, home to many returnees who were forcibly repatriated from neighboring Pakistan, was struck by this earthquake while already facing extreme difficulties in rebuilding their lives. Many survivors who have lost everything now await assistance to sustain their lives.

We kindly request your support for AAR’s emergency relief efforts following the Afghanistan earthquake.