Powerful Earthquake Strikes Western Afghanistan, Leaving Widespread Destruction and Thousands Affected

The series of earthquakes caused the collapse of thousands of homes and widespread damage to infrastructure, including local water systems, rural roads, and healthcare facilities. As weeks passed, the consequences became more severe: acute shortages of safe drinking water, limited access to food, and full dependence on aid. Many families remain unable to return to their homes due to structural cracks that make buildings unsafe. Field reports indicate that some villages are still partially cut off due to damaged roads, hindering humanitarian access.

Displaced families are living in tents or makeshift shelters that offer little protection from the cold, with most lacking proper heating. Children are increasingly affected by respiratory illnesses due to cold and damp conditions, while women and the elderly struggle to access necessary healthcare. The loss of livelihoods and destruction of agricultural fields have widened the poverty gap. Field workers report that some families receive only one meal per day, and aid supply lines remain irregular due to damaged roads.

Relief teams face security challenges due to the geographic isolation of rural areas, lack of communication networks in several locations, and intermittent local tensions. These conditions hinder humanitarian access and delay aid delivery. In mountainous zones, risks are intensified by landslides and the possibility of additional aftershocks.

In the weeks following the Herat earthquakes, humanitarian organisations launched a series of emergency interventions to support affected families. UNHCR provided temporary shelters, tents, and essential relief items, while the World Food Programme distributed emergency food assistance, including dry rations for households that lost their livelihoods. The World Health Organization deployed medical teams and mobile health units to underserved areas facing a shortage of functional clinics. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Afghan Red Crescent carried out evacuations, delivered first aid, and distributed clean water and hygiene supplies. Despite these efforts, the overall response remains insufficient compared to the scale of the disaster, particularly in remote villages that remain difficult to access.

A powerful earthquake measuring between 6.2 and 6.5 struck Herat province in early October 2025, followed by several strong aftershocks. Entire mud-built villages in Zindajan, Injil, and Ghurian collapsed, with initial estimates reporting 1,200–1,500 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries. Around 25 villages were severely affected, and approximately 2,000–3,500 homes were completely destroyed.

Humanitarian conditions deteriorated rapidly, with 12,000–15,000 people affected and thousands displaced to makeshift camps lacking basic services. Severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies were reported, while several health facilities were rendered non-operational, raising concerns about disease outbreaks.

The earthquake further destabilized the security environment, with landslides and road blockages preventing police and emergency teams from reaching affected areas. Limited unrest was reported due to delays in aid delivery, especially in remote villages. However, no major armed incidents were recorded, and security forces focused mainly on evacuation and crowd management.

Humanitarian organizations launched rapid response operations, distributing tents, food supplies, and essential medical kits. Rescue teams were deployed to remote villages despite access challenges. Emergency assistance reached around 10,000 people, though needs continue to rise due to the scale of destruction.

• Relief Center recommends ensuring immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most affected villages, including food, water, and essential medical supplies.
• It calls for establishing safe temporary shelters for displaced families, prioritizing children, women, and the elderly.
• The Center emphasizes opening safe access routes for rescue teams and facilitating their entry into isolated areas affected by landslides and road blockages.
• It recommends supporting damaged health facilities by deploying mobile medical units to compensate for non-operational hospitals.
• It urges rapid assessments of infrastructure damage, including water networks and roads, to enable direct relief efforts.
• The Center highlights the importance of strengthening coordination between government authorities and humanitarian actors for a more effective response, especially in remote areas.
• It stresses the need to monitor health risks and prevent disease outbreaks through urgent medical outreach campaigns.