Death toll shoots past 2,200 in Afghanistan earthquake as global aid arrives

A devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has killed more than 2,200 people and left at least 3,640 injured, according to Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat.

Entire villages in Kunar Province have been flattened, with bodies still being pulled from the rubble in Mazar-e-Dara, Dewa Gul-e-Dara, Chapa Dara and Mano Gai districts.

Rescue teams say they are still racing against time to find survivors. “We have nothing left, not even water. My brother’s family is still under the ruins,” said Abdul Rahman, a resident of Noor Gul district, speaking to local media.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) confirmed that the first shipment of European Union aid - 130 tonnes of tents, medical equipment and clothing - arrived in Kabul on Thursday, with another shipment expected Friday.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society said Saudi Arabia has donated 210 tonnes of food, officially handed over by the Saudi Ambassador in Kabul. Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced 105 tonnes of food, medicine, tents and blankets, while Turkey confirmed it had sent 25 tonnes of supplies to Kunar.

Japan also delivered tents and blankets through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). “These relief items will be distributed immediately to the affected communities,” the Japanese Embassy in Kabul said in a statement, adding that Tokyo will continue to support Afghans in need.

Ireland has allocated €500,000 through the IFRC to provide clean water, food and healthcare. Australia announced $1 million, channelled through the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Russia has sent 20 tonnes of food supplies, while Turkmenistan pledged food, shelter and medical aid during a call between Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

China’s International Development Cooperation Agency announced a 50 million yuan (around $7 million) aid package, including tents, blankets and food for survivors.

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most fragile humanitarian contexts. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), more than 15 million Afghans face acute food insecurity, while the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that recurrent natural disasters have deepened public health risks in the country.

Afghanistan’s embassies in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and Azerbaijan, along with its consulate in Mumbai, India, held condolence ceremonies attended by diplomats and Afghan communities abroad.

Fitrat emphasised that “rescue and search operations are still actively underway, with emergency teams working tirelessly to reach those in need.”

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