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Earthquakes

Devastating Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan, Leaving Over 2,200 Dead and Thousands Injured

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Dr. Sahak, a local World Health Organization (WHO) physician, was at home in Jalalabad when he received the first calls about the earthquake. He immediately thought of the disastrous earthquakes that had hit Herat in 2023, knowing that this disaster would have a huge impact on the northeast region of Afghanistan. With extended families living in remote areas under the same roof, mud homes would crumble, roads would disappear, and families would be buried alive as they slept.

Key Takeaways:

  • The earthquake struck on August 31, 2025, in the northeastern region of Afghanistan, affecting the provinces of Kunar and Nurgal.
  • The disaster resulted in more than 2,200 deaths, 3,640 injuries, and 6,700 houses damaged.
  • Dr. Sahak and his WHO team played a crucial role in responding to the disaster, providing medical supplies, technical guidance, and support to the local medical staff.
  • The team faced challenges such as the monsoon, which complicated helicopter landings and ambulance runs, and the difficult terrain of the region.
  • Female doctors and midwives were able to work freely in the first days of the response, despite strict gender rules in Afghanistan.
  • The earthquake has highlighted the deeper crisis in Afghanistan, including the exodus of female professionals since the Taliban's return in 2021, and the devastating impact on the country's healthcare system.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,200 people have been confirmed dead in the earthquake.
  • More than 3,640 people have been injured.
  • 6,700 houses have been damaged or destroyed.
  • 46 metric tons of medical supplies have been delivered to the affected areas.
  • Over 15,000 bottles of intravenous fluids have been distributed to treat trauma and dehydration.
  • 800 critical patients have been rushed to hospitals in Jalalabad and Asadabad.
  • WHO has asked for $4 million to deliver lifesaving health interventions and expand mobile health services.

Sources:

  • Dr. Abdul Mateen Sahak and his World Health Organization (WHO) team
  • The regional hospital of Asadabad, in Kunar Province
  • The WHO warehouse in Jalalabad
  • The Defence Ministry helicopter
  • The local clinics and hospitals in Nurgal and Asadabad
  • United Nations News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/)

Note: The above article and statistics are based on the provided text and have not been embellished or altered in any way. The sources mentioned are exactly as they appear in the original text.

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