Afghanistan quake destroyed 5,230 homes in 49 villages, leaving hundreds of thousands struggling to survive. A United Nations assessment revealed the massive damage from the August 31 earthquake, which measured 6.0 in magnitude and triggered several aftershocks between 5.2 and 5.6.
The UN confirmed that at least 2,200 people died, and the death toll could rise as more bodies are recovered. Officials estimate the quake has affected up to 500,000 people, with many forced to sleep outdoors in the cold and rain.
Afghanistan quake destroyed 5,230 homes in 49 villages, but the UN has not been able to reach many remote areas due to landslides and narrow mountain roads. Shannon O’Hara, UN humanitarian coordination chief, said travel to the worst-hit zone took more than six hours because of blocked paths.
Families have lost not only their homes but also their livestock and livelihoods. Many survivors still wear the same clothes from the night of the quake, with fresh wounds and bandages visible. Mothers and fathers carried injured children, searching for shelter and aid. Relief trucks continue to face extreme challenges reaching the epicenter, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
