Earthquake in Afghanistan: Swiss Solidarity activates its Emergency Fund

On the night of 31 August to 1 September 2025, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan, causing severe human and material losses. According to initial estimates, at least 800 people lost their lives and more than 2,700 were injured. The earthquake, whose epicentre was located near the city of Jalalabad, severely affected the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, which are difficult to access due to their mountainous terrain, as well as recent floods and landslides. Entire villages have been destroyed, leaving many families homeless, and local hospitals are overwhelmed.

In response to this situation, Swiss Solidarity is activating its Emergency Fund to provide immediate assistance to those affected. This mechanism enables us to respond swiftly and finance the initial humanitarian activities of our partner organisations already present in the affected areas.

The most urgent needs:

People urgently need medical care, shelter, drinking water, food and other essential items.

Several NGOs supported by Swiss Solidarity are already active in the region, including Terre des hommes, Medair, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Save the Children and Women’s Hope International. They are providing emergency medical care and distributing food to affected families.

A call for solidarity

The Swiss Solidarity Emergency Fund is crucial as it enables rapid intervention in severe crises, even before a national fundraising campaign has been launched, or when such a campaign is not possible. This fund allows us to respond straight away to the most urgent needs of affected communities and finance the very first humanitarian interventions.

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The situation in Afghanistan is evolving by the hour. Swiss Solidarity is closely monitoring developments and stands ready to reassess its level of engagement and strengthen its support if necessary