Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Strikes Southeastern Afghanistan
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.2 has struck southeastern Afghanistan, adding to a deepening humanitarian crisis. The quake follows a series of tremors earlier in the week that killed more than 2,200 people, flattened villages, and left tens of thousands homeless. The latest seismic event further strains relief efforts, with the United Nations and other aid agencies already citing a critical need for food, shelter, and medical supplies in the disaster-stricken region, where resources are dwindling.
Unpacked:
Afghanistan's mountainous terrain, poor infrastructure, and prevalence of mud homes make earthquakes especially destructive. Decades of conflict have left communities fragile and under-resourced, compounding the impact of natural disasters and hampering effective response and recovery efforts.
International aid to Afghanistan has significantly declined since the Taliban’s return to power, with major donors like the US, UK, and EU reducing support. This reduction limits the resources available to address emergencies, making it harder to meet urgent needs after disasters like this earthquake.
Rescue teams face blocked and damaged roads, landslides, poor phone signals, and the remoteness of many villages. These factors delay aid delivery, limit access to survivors, and require teams to travel long distances on foot to reach those in need.
The earthquake compounds existing crises, including acute food insecurity, mass refugee returns, and limited healthcare. With 23 million Afghans needing humanitarian aid and resources already stretched thin, the disaster increases suffering and threatens to tip communities into deeper hardship.