Afghanistan was hit by a series of severe natural disasters in 2025, including earthquakes and floods that killed at least 2,254 people and injured more than 4,700 others, according to figures from the United Nations and Taliban authorities.
The deadliest incident was a powerful earthquake in eastern Kunar province, where at least 2,205 people were killed and 3,640 injured. Around 6,782 homes were completely destroyed, the United Nations said.
Aid agencies said women and girls were among the hardest hit. Save the Children said the quake left about 280 children orphaned.
“I lost everything,” said Abdul Qadir, a resident of Kunar whose home was destroyed. “We need basic supplies — blankets, water, light and shelter.”
Another survivor, Abdul Zahir, said several members of his extended family were killed when their houses collapsed. “My elderly parents were buried under the rubble,” he said.
Other earthquakes were reported during the year in the northern provinces of Samangan, Balkh, Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul and Baghlan. In Balkh, 12 people were killed and nearly 500 injured, while Samangan reported 11 deaths and about 270 wounded. Dozens more were injured in Kunduz and Baghlan, according to local authorities.
Flooding also caused deaths and damage in several provinces. In May, flash floods in Khost province killed two children and injured three others. Deadly floods were also reported in Logar, Laghman, Kapisa, Wardak and Nangarhar.
International donors and aid organisations — including the United Nations, the European Union, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar — pledged humanitarian assistance following the disasters.
However, many survivors say help has been slow to reach them, particularly as winter approaches, raising fears of further hardship in a country already facing widespread poverty and humanitarian need.
