The powerful earthquake on 31st August has devastated eastern Afghanistan, triggering widespread destruction and displacement. Satellite-based analysis from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveals the scale of the disaster: more than 649,000 tonnes of debris, equivalent to 40,500 truckloads, must be cleared, while at least 23,000 people may have been forced from their homes.
The earthquake triggered violent ground shaking, reaching up to Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) level 9, where buildings collapsed and people struggled to stay upright. The most severe damage hit Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces, with tremors also felt in Kabul and northwestern Pakistan. An estimated 1.4 million people experienced strong to violent levels of shaking. In a region with fragile infrastructure and limited emergency services, communities face urgent needs for shelter, medical care, and essential supplies.
Infrastructure exposure is extensive: 246,000 buildings, including homes, schools, and clinics, lie within high-impact zones and 462 km of electric grid lines are at risk. AI-based modelling, using satellite imagery and remote sensing, predicts between 23,000 and 31,000 internally displaced people as a direct result of the earthquake. These communities urgently need earthquake-resistant, affordable shelter, as well as access to food, water, and health services. These estimates are preliminary and require validation through field assessments as access improves.
"Walking through the rubble in these villages and seeing the devastation firsthand is heartbreaking," said Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan. "Entire communities have been upended. Families are sleeping in the open, and access to basic services is severely disrupted. We must act quickly to restore dignity and safety."
Rodriques emphasized that debris removal must be done safely, and rebuilding must prioritize quality and resilience. He added, "This is also an opportunity to generate income for extremely poor communities. Proven practices from UNDP's 2023 Herat earthquake response show how community-driven recovery, built on local resources and ownership, can deliver lasting impact."
Remote sensing has proven especially valuable in this response. In mountainous and remote regions where access is limited and winter is fast approaching, satellite data provides a critical layer of data to identify priority areas for debris removal, infrastructure repair, and response support, to improve connectivity, saving time, livelihoods and lives.
"This is a race against time," said Devanand Ramiah, Head of Crisis Readiness, Response, and Recovery Team in UNDP's Crisis Bureau. "Debris removal and reconstruction operations must start safely and swiftly. The data allows us to target priority areas most in need of debris removal, structural assessments, and restoration of access. A coordinated response at scale is essential to prevent further suffering and support early recovery."
UNDP is calling for a scaled-up international response to support comprehensive recovery and reconstruction. UNDP is working with national and international partners to ensure relief reaches those most in need and that recovery efforts build long-term resilience. With harsh winter approaching, building safe shelters is urgent. UNDP stands ready to help communities rebuild safer homes, restore livelihoods, and strengthen local economies.
