Afghan earthquake survivors reflects the crisis facing thousands of families in eastern Afghanistan. Survivors of recent deadly earthquakes refuse to return to their shattered mountain villages, fearing landslides and aftershocks. Instead, they live in open fields and riverbanks without proper tents or shelter, battling both trauma and uncertainty.
Fear Keeps Families Away from Villages
In Masud village of Kunar province, 67-year-old farmer Adam Khan stood outside the ruins of his home, leaning on a stick. His family now sleeps under the open sky. “We have no shelter, not even a tent,” he said. “It rained last night, and we had nowhere to take cover. The biggest fear is the rocks that could come down at any moment.”
The fear is real. Thousands of homes built of mud and stone collapsed instantly during the twin earthquakes. Even as families fled, aftershocks triggered new landslides, leaving many villages unsafe. Survivors say that returning home is no longer an option.
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Death Toll Rises as Aftershocks Continue
Two strong earthquakes struck around midnight on August 31, followed by powerful aftershocks. The tremors killed more than 2,200 people and injured over 3,600 across Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Entire neighborhoods vanished under rubble. Families who escaped now camp along roadsides, fields, and riverbanks.
Aid agencies confirm that thousands remain displaced. International relief helicopters delivered food and some tents, but distribution remains slow and uneven. Remote terrain, poor infrastructure, and widespread poverty have made rescue operations difficult.
Villages Cut Off by Terrain
Afghanistan’s mountainous east has always been vulnerable to earthquakes. Most villages lie hours away from main roads. The poor condition of infrastructure makes timely aid nearly impossible. Helicopters managed to reach some communities with food and medicine, but many survivors say they still lack basic items like blankets, tents, and shoes.
In Shaheedan village, farmer Shams-ur-Rahman recounted his escape. He lost six relatives and carried his nine-member family down from the mountain. “The tents they gave us cannot even accommodate our children,” he said. “On the way down, I had no shoes for my son, so we shared mine in turns as we walked.”
Displacement May Become Permanent
For some families, displacement no longer feels temporary. Many say they will never return to their villages, fearing future disasters. Gul Ahmad, 51, spoke with determination. “Even if there is no earthquake, a simple rainfall could bring rocks crashing down on us,” he said. Standing beside his relatives and small tents, he added, “We will not go back. The government must provide us with a safe place.”
This demand is echoed by hundreds of families who say their villages are no longer livable. The combination of cracked mountainsides, weak soil, and ongoing aftershocks makes resettlement the only option for survival.
Children Carry Heavy Burdens
The youngest survivors face some of the heaviest burdens. Children live in makeshift camps, exposed to rain, dust, and disease. Without proper sanitation, international aid groups warn of the spread of illnesses in already fragile communities.
Twelve-year-old Sadiq lived through an ordeal that still haunts him. Trapped under rubble for 11 hours, he watched his grandmother and cousin die beside him. “I thought I would die,” he said softly, sitting on a rope bed near his relatives. “It felt like doomsday.” His story reflects the trauma etched into the minds of countless children across the affected provinces.
Humanitarian Strain in a Quake-Prone Nation
Afghanistan has suffered decades of war, poverty, and natural disasters. International agencies say the country remains among the world’s most quake-prone nations, yet lacks the infrastructure to handle emergencies. The recent disaster underscores the vulnerability of rural areas, where most homes are made from mud and stone.
Without adequate shelter and medical support, survivors now face rising risks of hunger and disease. Humanitarian groups stress that immediate relief is only the first step. Long-term planning, resettlement programs, and stronger infrastructure are urgently needed to protect Afghan earthquake survivors from future disasters.
A Fight for Survival
For now, families remain in open fields, clinging to hope for safety. With winter only months away, their situation grows more urgent by the day. Survivors demand secure housing and long-term assistance. They say they cannot risk going back to unstable mountainsides where even rain can trigger deadly landslides.
In the face of tragedy, Afghan earthquake survivors continue their struggle, waiting for lasting solutions that will ensure not just survival but also dignity and security in the years ahead.
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