WHO steps up response to meet rising health needs after earthquake in Eastern Afghanistan
3 September 2025, Kabul, Afghanistan – The World Health Organization (WHO) is scaling up its emergency response after a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Eastern Region on 31 August, killing more than 1457 people and injuring over 3394.
The numbers are expected to rise in the coming days. Entire families have been buried under rubble. More than 6782 homes have been destroyed, leaving thousands homeless and exposed to harsh conditions. Hospitals are overwhelmed with the influx of severely injured patients, many in need of urgent surgery and critical medical care.
WHO’s immediate response has included 23 metric tons of medicines and medical supplies, enough to treat more than 2000 patients, in addition to other emergency health supplies and staff delivered to health facilities in the affected provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman and Nuristan.
