Afghanistan Earthquake Response
Devastating 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan
Assessment Date: 5 September 2025
Location: Epicentre and Surrounding Villages, Nangarhar Province
On the night of 31 August 2025, a powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck north-eastern Afghanistan. The epicentre, located 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad City, caused widespread destruction across the region.
The humanitarian impact has been catastrophic:
- Over 2,000 lives lost
- More than 3,500 people injured
- Nearly 6,800 homes destroyed
- Approximately 497,000 people affected, including 263,000 children
Relief operations remain extremely difficult, with blocked roads, rough terrain, and limited communications hampering access to many of the worst-hit areas.
In the face of overwhelming challenges, Afghan communities have shown extraordinary solidarity. Local volunteers quickly mobilised, pooling their resources to transport the wounded, clear debris, and deliver emergency supplies. This grassroots response reflects the resilience of the Afghan people. Yet it also underscores the urgent need for structured, technical support to ensure recovery is safe, sustainable, and future-proof.
RedR’s Engineering Response: Building Local Capacity for Safer Recovery
In early September, Dr Noor Kuchai, RedR’s Senior Coordinator in Humanitarian Engineering, conducted a field assessment in the epicentre and surrounding villages. His visit identified critical gaps where RedR’s expertise could provide life-saving and long-term value:
- Damage Assessment Training – Delivering tailored training for local engineers and Afghan NGO staff on how to conduct safe, effective damage assessments, preventing further loss of life and guiding appropriate shelter interventions.
- Earthquake-Resilient Shelter Design – Collaborating with communities and experts to develop culturally appropriate, earthquake-resilient shelter designs using locally available materials such as stone and timber.
- Retrofitting and Repair Guidelines – Providing practical guidance and training for local responders on safe repair techniques that would have sector wide applicability. Many homes can be salvaged through retrofitting, reducing the need for full reconstruction, and preserving community heritage.
