The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August. The main 6.0 magnitude quake was followed by several aftershocks, claiming more than 800 lives , with the toll continuing to rise. Thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving families without shelter and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
IOM teams are already on the ground in the affected areas, working with partners to conduct a full assessment of the damage and provide emergency shelter, health care and protection support to affected communities.
This tragedy comes at a time when Afghanistan is already facing immense pressures. According to IOM data, more than 1.7 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, many to communities already struggling with limited resources.
The earthquakes have added another layer to Afghanistan's overlapping crises, devastating families who were also coping with displacement and economic hardship. With winter approaching, the risks are even greater: thousands of families now lack safe shelter as temperatures begin to drop.
IOM extends its heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and urgently calls on the international community to step up funding to prevent further suffering and protect millions of people at risk.
