Afghanistan earthquake: Health Cluster situation report #1 (2 September 2025)

Overview

A magnitude M6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, 11:48 PM (GMT +4.30) on 31 August 2025, with epicenter Kama in district, severely impacting communities across Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, and Nuristan provinces. The earthquake occurred along the Kunar major fault line; the area historically categorized as high seismic risk with severe shake intensity levels. Preliminary reports indicate widespread destruction of homes, public infrastructure, and critical services, particularly in rural and mountainous areas where building structures are highly vulnerable to seismic shocks. Given the shallow depth and proximity to populated areas, the earthquake caused major structural damage and casualties are anticipated.

Preliminary reports on 2 September indicate:

• over 1400 deaths
• over 3,100 injuries, many in remote mountainous areas
• 5,400 homes destroyed
• 6.8 million people living in affected provinces
• Chawkay, Nurgal, and Dara-e-Nur districts most impacted
• Alingar, Qargha in Laghman Province; Nurgal, Sawkai in Kunar Province also affected
• health impact on population significant including injuries in mountainous areas with challenges to access care
• service disruption: increased needs, fragile system requires surge support. Many health facilities in affected districts are reported to be operating, but further updates are awaited, and 
• access challenges due to road closures and geographic constraints.