Afghanistan Earthquake: UN Struggles to Reach Remote Villages as Death Toll Rises

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan on August 31, 2025. More than 2,200 people have died, and the death toll is feared to climb higher. The earthquake has impacted around 500,000 people, with a significant number being children. Many of the affected individuals had been repatriated from Pakistan and Iran. The United Nations reports that 5,230 houses across 49 villages have been completely destroyed, and 672 houses have suffered partial damage. UN teams are struggling to reach 362 villages because roads are blocked. The journey from Jalalabad to a location 100 km away took 6.5 hours due to narrow roads and landslides, hindering the delivery of aid. People are living in dire conditions, with no access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and sanitation facilities. The UN warns about the risk of a cholera outbreak. Women and children are in urgent need of clean water, warm clothes, and tents as winter approaches. The UN is working on an emergency fund to provide tents, food, water, and medicines. The Taliban administration is cooperating in relief efforts, and women are also included in the relief teams.