2022 Afghanistan Earthquake Disaster

In June 2022, a devastating earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan, causing one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country’s recent history. The 6.2-magnitude quake hit mainly the provinces of Paktika, Khost, and Paktia, where thousands of families lived in fragile, mud-brick houses that collapsed instantly. Entire villages were flattened within seconds, leaving people buried under rubble and rescuers struggling to reach remote mountain areas. More than a thousand people were reported dead, and thousands more were injured, including many children. The disaster exposed Afghanistan’s limited emergency response system, especially under the Taliban’s new rule, where resources, trained personnel, and equipment were scarce. Heavy rains, landslides, and damaged roads made rescue operations even more difficult. International aid agencies stepped in to provide tents, food, medical support, and temporary shelters, but the scale of destruction was overwhelming. The earthquake not only caused immense loss of life but also deepened the already severe humanitarian crisis, leaving countless families homeless, traumatized, and in urgent need of long-term recovery support.