Emergency Response to Afghanistan Earthquake

AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) is distributing emergency relief supplies in Kunar Province, eastern Afghanistan, which suffered extensive damage in the August 31 earthquake. An emergency relief team dispatched from the Kabul office entered the disaster area on the 5th to start assessments and began distributing supplies to affected households starting on the 12th.

All 29 households interviewed in the survey reported that their houses were destroyed. Furthermore, many expressed feelings of utter helplessness, stating that their orchards, shops, and work vehicles had also been damaged, leaving them “without a means of livelihood and unsure how to rebuild lives.” Additionally, 20% of households reported that they “have not received any support so far.”

The emergency relief team targeted villages in the Chalas Valley of northern Chawkay District for assistance. We procured relief supplies in Kabul and transported them overland to the affected areas. Items distributed included drinking water, food, hygiene supplies such as soap, solar lamps, and cooking utensils like pots and plates. We also delivered shoes and clothing to enable safe movement through the rubble.

"I lost my beloved father in the earthquake. Since that night, our lives changed completely. Our home was destroyed, our income vanished, and our former life disappeared in an instant. For a while, we had nothing to eat, no way to keep warm, and no help from anywhere. But now, receiving water, cooking utensils, blankets, and shoes from AAR makes us truly happy. Thank you." This is what Esrail (12 years old) told us when he came to receive the relief supplies.

AAR delivered relief supplies to 232 households across 11 villages in Chawkay district on the 12th and 13th. We plan to expand our assistance areas and distribute food, cooking utensils, and other items. We also aim to deliver blankets and winter clothing before the harsh winter arrives.

We sincerely ask for your continued support.

Links:

• AAR English website

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.

Mr. Mohammad, 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.

Links:

• AAR English website