One Year Later: Kunar Families Still Homeless After Earthquake

The United Nations has reported that hundreds of families in Kunar remain homeless one year after the devastating earthquake, urgently calling for immediate assistance.

Earthquake-Affected Families in Kunar Need Shelter

According to the United Nations, hundreds of families in eastern Afghanistan are still without shelter one year after the destructive earthquake. Officials stated that these individuals are living in dire conditions and are in urgent need of help as winter approaches.

Emma Martin, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan, released a video on the anniversary of the disaster, recounting her recent visit to the affected areas. She noted that while some families have received immediate assistance, many are still living in tents and are in need of permanent housing.

Assistance Provided is Insufficient

Martin emphasized, “There are only a few months left until winter arrives. Hundreds of families have been helped to move from tents to permanent housing, but this aid is not enough.” She urged the international community to increase support for roughly 7,000 families across 134 villages.

Challenging Conditions for Earthquake Survivors

Some earthquake survivors reported to Radio Azadi about the difficulties of living in harsh conditions under tents. Amir Gul, a victim from the Nurgal district, mentioned that their roads and agricultural land have been destroyed, leaving them in urgent need of shelter. He said, “The weather is extremely hot, and last night’s storm damaged the tents. We need everything, but our most critical need is for shelter.”

Another survivor, Khan Mohammad, raised issues such as extreme heat, lack of drinking water, and absence of health services, and added, “Our most urgent need is for shelter, but we also lack clean drinking water, which is causing illness among children.”

Casualties and Damages from the Earthquake

The deadly earthquake on August 31, 2025, in Kunar province resulted in at least 2,200 fatalities and more than 4,000 injuries. Approximately 7,000 homes were destroyed, with the World Bank estimating the damages in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces at about $183 million. The United Nations is also seeking $140 million in aid to support 457,000 victims of this earthquake.