Thu Nov 06 06:43:46 UTC 2025: Afghan Earthquake Survivors Face Bitter Winter with Limited Aid
Kunar Province, Afghanistan – Survivors of recent devastating earthquakes in Afghanistan are bracing for a harsh winter with inadequate shelter and clothing, as international aid dwindles. Two major earthquakes in the past two months have left thousands homeless and vulnerable, exacerbating the country’s existing humanitarian crisis.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake recently struck northern provinces, claiming at least 27 lives and destroying homes. This comes on the heels of a more devastating quake in late August that killed over 2,200 people in eastern Afghanistan.
In Kunar province, villagers like Bazarga Safay, who lost relatives in the earlier quake, fear the approaching cold will claim more lives. She now shares a tent with 15 people, but worries that it isn’t suitable for winter as temperatures are expected to plunge as low as -20 degrees Celsius.
“We were given a tent, but it’s not suitable for winter,” Safay explained.
Many villagers are sleeping outdoors, afraid to return to their damaged homes due to continuing aftershocks. Despite the urgent need for winter supplies, aid organizations warn that their assistance will be limited due to funding cuts by major donors.
While camps have been established, the International Organization for Migration reports that the majority of survivors plan to stay in place, either due to lack of resources or alternative options. Many are determined to rebuild, favoring more resilient construction methods using concrete and bricks over traditional stone, like Sayid Wali Safay, 27, explains.
Taliban authorities claim to be building new houses, but the scale of the effort appears limited. The situation underscores the desperate need for sustained international support as Afghanistan faces yet another challenge in its ongoing struggle.
First Piper 