Earthquake in Afghanistan, 31 August 2025

On 31 August 2025, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan. The strongest impacts were reported in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Powerful aftershocks triggered landslides and road blockages, further isolating communities already vulnerable due to their remote locations, fragile infrastructure and heavy rainfall preceding the earthquake. The disaster caused widespread displacement, and destruction of homes, cropland, orchards, productive livestock assets and irrigation systems. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), an estimated 498 800 people are in need of humanitarian assistance (ReliefWeb, 2025). The earthquake compounded with four consecutive years of below-average rainfall in many parts of the country, as well as seasonal floods that have eroded harvests and grazing opportunities. While monsoon precipitation has spared some eastern provinces – such as Kunar – from the worst drought impacts, the region continues to experience overlapping shocks. Significant influxes of returnees from neighbouring countries – many arriving with limited assets and in need of immediate assistance – face acute hardship while also intensifying competition over scarce resources.