Kabul – Afghanistan 

In a country already reeling from decades of conflict and humanitarian crisis, Afghan earthquake survivors are now grappling with a new, devastating reality. Thousands remain displaced just weeks before the onset of winter, facing a desperate battle for survival. The recent earthquake, which struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31, has left a trail of destruction, destroying homes and livelihoods and plunging communities deeper into despair. As survivors describe the devastation, they paint a harrowing picture of a humanitarian catastrophe, with many now living in temporary shelters with little protection against the harsh mountain cold that is rapidly approaching.

A Landscape of Loss and Desperation

The magnitude 6.0+ earthquake, centered in the mountainous eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, was a disaster of immense scale. According to the United Nations and other aid agencies, it has claimed the lives of nearly 2,000 people, including nearly 1,000 children. Over 3,600 people have been injured, and more than 6,000 homes have been completely destroyed, leaving thousands of families homeless. The devastation is most acute in remote mountain communities, where entire villages have been reduced to rubble.

Survivors’ testimonies paint a vivid and tragic picture. “My village has become a graveyard,” said one farmer from Khas Kunar, who lost his home and several family members. “All 40 families lost their homes.” The smell of dead animals buried in the debris fills the air, adding to the trauma. Another survivor, who lost two sons and a daughter, recounted the moment the earthquake hit. “There was a loud explosion and then houses collapsed. Everyone was in shock, thinking only of survival.” The survivors have lost not only their homes but also their livestock and crops, which were their only means of livelihood, leaving them with absolutely nothing.

Key Headline Points on the Crisis

 * Mass Displacement and Homelessness: Over 40,000 people have been impacted by the earthquake, with thousands of families now living in makeshift shelters or out in the open, vulnerable to the elements.

 * Impending Winter Threat: With winter rapidly approaching and temperatures set to plummet, there is a race against time to provide adequate shelter, food, and clothing to the displaced to prevent a second wave of casualties from exposure and starvation.

 * Critical Aid and Funding Gaps: Despite the immediate response, humanitarian organizations are facing severe funding shortfalls. UNICEF, for example, has secured only a fraction of the necessary funds for its six-month plan, putting lifesaving assistance at risk.

 * Logistical Challenges: Delivering aid to the affected regions is a formidable challenge. Roads are blocked by landslides and debris, forcing aid workers to navigate steep terrain and travel for hours on foot to reach remote villages.

 * Protection Risks for Women and Girls: The crisis has disproportionately affected women and girls, who face heightened risks of gender-based violence and exploitation in overcrowded, makeshift camps that lack proper lighting, safe water, and sanitation facilities.

Exclusive Insights and Humanitarian Challenges

An exclusive insight from aid workers on the ground reveals that the humanitarian response is being hampered by several unique challenges. The Taliban’s directive barring women from working for aid agencies has created a significant hurdle. A UN spokesperson noted that this policy makes it “entirely impossible” to reach many vulnerable Afghans, especially women and children, who can only be assisted by female aid workers due to deeply ingrained social and cultural norms. This has led to the temporary closure of some critical services, including cash and support centres for vulnerable Afghans and returnees.

Furthermore, the remote and mountainous terrain of the affected areas makes aid delivery a logistical nightmare. A representative from a humanitarian organization recounted a 100-kilometer drive that took over six hours due to blocked roads. The difficulty of reaching communities has meant that many have received only minimal assistance, if any at all. “We’re racing against time to reach families who have lost everything,” said one aid worker. The earthquake struck a nation already grappling with multiple crises, including food insecurity and an economic collapse. The UN has warned that the country’s humanitarian response plan has received only a fraction of its necessary funding, leaving millions in need even before this latest disaster.

The combination of a devastating natural disaster, a looming harsh winter, and pre-existing political and economic challenges has created a perfect storm for the Afghan people. Aid organizations are urgently appealing for international support to scale up their response and provide gender-responsive health services, safe working conditions for female staff, and essential supplies before the cold weather claims more lives. The current situation demands a coordinated global effort to ensure that the vulnerable, particularly women and children, are not forgotten in the face of this deepening crisis.