Kunar Earthquake: Relief Efforts Hampered as Remote Mountain Villages Remain Cut Off

Three days after a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province, humanitarian operations remain severely hampered, leaving thousands of survivors without food, shelter, and medical care.

Humanitarian agencies are warning of a worsening crisis in Kunar, where rugged terrain, blocked mountain passes, and damaged infrastructure have left dozens of remote communities cut off from relief. The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed on Wednesday that its teams are working to deliver supplies, but many highland villages remain inaccessible.

“Entire communities are still isolated, without access to food, clean water, or urgent medical assistance,” the WFP said in a statement, stressing the need for immediate international support and improved logistical access.

Rising Casualties and Ongoing Rescue Efforts

The Taliban government revised the death toll to 1,411, with thousands more injured and hundreds of homes destroyed. Local responders continue to dig through rubble in search of survivors, while families bury their dead in makeshift cemeteries across the province. Officials warn that the toll could rise further as rescuers reach cut-off villages.

Aid Delivery Challenges

Blocked roads, landslides, and narrow mountain trails have slowed the movement of ground convoys, forcing aid agencies to rely on limited airlifts. Helicopters have managed to deliver small quantities of medicine, tents, and blankets, but demand far exceeds supply. Night temperatures in Kunar’s highlands remain low, exposing displaced families to cold and harsh conditions without adequate shelter.

International Response

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it is coordinating with local authorities and the Taliban to expand airlift capacity and deploy additional convoys once routes are cleared. Neighboring countries, including Pakistan and India, have also pledged to send relief supplies.

Humanitarian experts caution that unless aid access improves quickly, thousands of vulnerable residents risk worsening food insecurity, disease outbreaks, and secondary displacement. Many survivors, particularly children and the elderly, face dehydration, respiratory illnesses, and untreated injuries.

Long-Term Concerns

Beyond the immediate emergency, aid groups warn that Kunar’s already fragile infrastructure and economy will struggle to recover without significant international assistance. With schools, clinics, and markets destroyed or damaged, the earthquake threatens to deepen Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, which has already left millions dependent on foreign aid.

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