Kabul/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 2 September 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is launching an emergency appeal to support people affected by the powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late on 31 August.
The earthquake hit parts of Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces, affecting over 1.3 million people and leaving hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged.
In response, the IFRC has launched an emergency appeal for 25 million Swiss francs to meet critical humanitarian needs and to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in immediate response and recovery efforts until the end of December 2027.
The IFRC and ARCS are launching an integrated response to support earthquake-affected families with emergency shelter, multi-purpose cash assistance, primary healthcare services, and clean water. Medium-term support will focus on transitional shelters and safe housing so families can rebuild their lives with dignity.
“This earthquake could not have come at a worse time. The disaster not only brings immediate suffering but also deepens Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian crisis. The days ahead are critical to save lives and address immediate humanitarian needs,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General.
“Through this emergency appeal, we are scaling up support to reach as many people as possible. Now, and over the next two years, international support is and will be critical to meet the sheer scale of needs on the ground.”
The IFRC is coordinating closely with ARCS, which is leading local response efforts with its trained volunteers and branches across the affected areas. Field assessments are ongoing, and mobile health teams are supporting overwhelmed hospitals with first aid and ambulance services. With IFRC support, ARCS has pre-positioned emergency stocks in Kabul, including thousands of blankets, tents, water containers and kitchen sets, ready to assist thousands of families.
The IFRC calls on the international community to maintain strong support for the Afghan people, to meet growing humanitarian needs and support longer-term recovery efforts.
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
In Kuala Lumpur:
Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641
In Geneva:
Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367
Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109
Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75