Survivors of the August 31 earthquake in the eastern province of Kunar say they are still living in tents with little access to aid and are fearful of the coming winter.
They say humanitarian assistance has been slow or absent, despite the scale of destruction. Many families say they have received nothing more than temporary tents and are calling on the Taliban authorities and international aid agencies to help rebuild their homes.
“We live in these tents, but we struggle even to find bread,” said Rabajan, a mother of two who was injured along with her son during the quake. “We can’t afford anything from the market.”
Parts of Kunar and neighboring Nangarhar province still show signs of devastation, with collapsed houses and displaced families. Survivors say no one is checking on them or offering sustained support.
“We have no shelter, no supplies,” said Sayyed Qadeem, a resident of Kunar. “Some organizations had promised help earlier, but now no one has come.”
Another resident, Samiullah, pleaded for immediate shelter and reconstruction support. “We need help with tents and homes. Winter is coming — living in a tent is not possible.”
The United Nations has warned that thousands of children in eastern Afghanistan are at risk of deadly disease outbreaks following the destruction of health and sanitation infrastructure caused by the earthquake.
In a statement, the UN said urgent action is needed to prevent a public health crisis in the affected areas.
A series of earthquakes struck eastern Afghanistan earlier this year, particularly in September, leaving widespread destruction and hundreds of deaths. In Kunar province, some families lost more than 10 members in the disaster.
Relief efforts in Afghanistan remain hampered by political instability, limited international funding, and logistical challenges following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
