KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Union and the United Kingdom have stepped in to provide emergency aid to people affected by the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, contributing €1 million and £1 million, respectively.
The EU said in a statement on Tuesday that its funding will be directed to humanitarian partners already operating on the ground.
In addition to the cash contribution, the EU is providing 130 tons of relief supplies, including tents, shelter materials, clothing, and medical kits. It has also activated Copernicus satellite services to produce emergency maps, which will help aid workers coordinate the delivery of assistance to the most affected areas.
EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said: “As this new earthquake puts additional strain on an already dire humanitarian situation, the EU is stepping in to help. This aid package will bring much-needed immediate relief to people in affected areas, which have also seen large numbers of returnees from Pakistan in recent months.”
The UK Foreign Office said on Monday that its £1 million contribution will provide essential healthcare and emergency supplies to families affected by the earthquake. The office added that all UK assistance will be delivered through experienced partners, such as the UN Population Fund and the Red Cross, to ensure that aid reaches those in need and does not fall into the hands of the Taliban.
The earthquake struck on Sunday night, August 31, with a magnitude of 6, hitting the provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman. According to Taliban figures, it killed more than 1,400 people and injured over 3,100. The UN estimates that more than 12,000 people have been affected and over 5,000 homes destroyed. Many villages in remote districts were completely flattened, making rescue and relief operations extremely challenging.
Aid groups and UN agencies have called for international support, warning that the scale of destruction is far beyond what local authorities and communities can handle.
Save the Children reports that thousands of children in Kunar province urgently need water, food, and shelter. In a video posted on X on Tuesday, the organization described the situation for children as “critical,” warning that without immediate and sustained aid, they could face severe threats to their health, safety, and overall well-being in the coming days and weeks.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has requested $2 million to assist 25,000 people over the next six months. The aid will include emergency shelter, access to clean water, hygiene kits, and legal and cash support for the most vulnerable, including women and children.
