Global solidarity after deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan

A powerful earthquake that struck Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar has killed at least 800 people and injured around 2,000 others, according to the World Health Organization.

The agency said an estimated 12,000 people have been directly affected by the disaster and that its teams were among the first responders, delivering emergency health kits to hospitals treating the wounded.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed condolences to Afghanistan, writing on X: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Afghanistan during this difficult time.”

Messages of sympathy and pledges of support have poured in from across the world. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country is ready to send humanitarian assistance, announcing the delivery of 1,000 tents and 15 tons of food supplies. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed Tehran’s readiness to cooperate and dispatch aid to the affected areas. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences on behalf of his country, saying Pakistan stands with its “Afghan brothers and sisters” and is ready to extend support. Türkiye and Japan’s representatives in Kabul declared their solidarity, with Japan’s Ambassador Takayoshi Kuromiya expressing “deep sadness” over the tragedy. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said UN teams are mobilized and will “spare no effort to assist those in need,” while the European Union also pledged support.

The United Arab Emirates dispatched a specialized rescue team along with food, medicine, and shelter tents, coordinated under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The British Foreign Office pledged £1 million to provide emergency health services and temporary shelters. Canada, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Syria, and Qatar also expressed condolences and promised humanitarian assistance.

Inside Afghanistan, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense Fasihuddin Fitrat said the country’s armed forces are obliged to assist victims “using all available resources” and ordered relevant units to join relief operations. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has engaged with international counterparts to secure urgent humanitarian assistance.

The Muslim World League expressed sorrow at the deaths, with Secretary-General Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa praying for the protection of the Afghan people from further harm.

Aid groups have raised alarms about the dire humanitarian situation. Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, wrote on X that donors who turned their backs on Afghanistan in recent years must return as the earthquake has devastated eastern Afghanistan. “Almost every home is damaged or destroyed. Survivors have lost almost everything. NRC teams are on the ground, wrapping up joint assessments to launch urgent emergency aid. Families can’t wait. But there is no real funding. The promises to stand by the Afghan girls and boys given by every NATO country cannot continue to be broken.”

With thousands displaced and winter approaching, aid officials warn that the immediate delivery of shelter, food, and medical assistance is critical. The earthquake has sparked a wave of international solidarity, but humanitarian groups caution that pledges must quickly translate into action to prevent further suffering.

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