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Winter threatens more hardship for survivors of Kunar earthquake
For thousands of families the struggle to rebuild their lives now collides with the onset of a bitter winter—threatening to deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis.
As winter approaches Afghanistan’s eastern mountains, thousands of people displaced by the devastating 31 August 2025 earthquake in Kunar province are bracing for new challenges.
Kochai, a mother of five from Shomash village in Nurgal district, recalls the night the magnitude 6 quake struck.
“It was between ten and 12 o’clock when my uncle’s wife went to bed. I told her not to lock the door—my senses were telling me an earthquake might happen,” she says. Moments later, a loud boom shook the house.
“I grabbed my two small children and rocks started falling from every direction. As soon as we stepped out the door, the room behind us collapsed. I couldn’t do anything.”
She says the loss around her village has left her deeply traumatized. “Many people have died, and my heart feels blackened. I’m afraid to go back.”
The earthquake was one of Afghanistan’s deadliest in a decade, killing more than 2,200 people and injuring over 3,000 across four provinces, including Kunar and Nangarhar. Thousands of survivors now live in temporary camps after their homes were destroyed.
Emergency medical care on the ground
In the days following the disaster, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) delivered medical supplies to hospitals treating the injured. By early September, MSF had set up a 24-hour basic healthcare clinic and a health post in Patan camp in Kunar province. A mobile medical team also began visiting displaced families in Ari Gamba camp in Shomash from mid-October.
MSF teams initially provided trauma care and have since expanded services to outpatient consultations, vaccinations, antenatal and postnatal care, health promotion, and mental health support.
From mid-September to late-October, more than 7,500 people were treated—mostly for diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and skin diseases such as scabies, reflecting harsh camp living conditions.
Psychological toll and rising needs
Patan and Ari Gamba camps are among several temporary settlements sheltering roughly 8,000 people from the hardest-hit areas.
“We are seeing hopelessness among people from the earthquake-affected areas,” says MSF doctor Nahida Noor. “Many lost loved ones, and the sound and destruction of the earthquake remain in their memory.”
MSF provides both individual counselling and psychosocial group sessions, with nearly 250 participants each week.
But mental trauma is only one part of the crisis. With winter nearing, temperatures in the mountainous region will soon drop below freezing. For families living in unheated tents, the cold is already a serious concern.
“Winter is approaching and it will snow,” says Sayed Jalal, displaced in Ari Gamba. “Living in these tents is not possible. When it rained and hailed the other day, our children and women suffered greatly.”
Jalal says all their belongings were buried under rubble. “We were given a few blankets, but they cannot withstand the cold. The tents also cannot resist the cold.”
A race against time before winter
Health workers fear that the falling temperatures will bring a spike in respiratory infections, pneumonia, measles, whooping cough and other seasonal illnesses. The camps have no heating or electricity, and the surrounding terrain makes conditions even harsher.
“More will need to be done to ensure survivors can live safely until a permanent solution is found or until they can return home,” says Dr Esmatullah Esmat, MSF’s medical adviser in Kunar.
For thousands of families like Kochai’s, the struggle to rebuild their lives now collides with the onset of a bitter winter—threatening to deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis.
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Security Sources: Pakistani military shelling in Kunar and Nuristan leaves female doctor dead
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River.
Security sources report that several security incidents in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan have resulted in the death of a female doctor, injuries to others, and several people reported missing.
According to the sources, early Thursday morning at around 9:30 a.m., Pakistani military forces opened fire on a Toyota vehicle in the Dokalam Baghcha area of Nari district in Kunar province.
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River. As a result of the incident, a female doctor was killed and another person was injured. Five other individuals who were reportedly in the vehicle remain missing, the sources added.
In a separate incident, security sources stated that around 11:00 a.m. in the Seno area of Shultan district, Kunar province, Pakistani forces carried out artillery shelling that left one person injured. The injured individual was transferred to the provincial hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, security sources in Nuristan say that despite Pakistan’s announced ceasefire, the main road between Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal districts has been completely closed to traffic since Thursday morning.
According to the sources, the closure of the route has caused serious difficulties for local residents, preventing any movement in the area. The sources also claim that Pakistani military posts are located within close proximity of the road and have opened fire on people attempting to pass through the area.
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UN Secretary-General condemns Pakistani airstrike on Kabul rehab center
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned a Pakistani airstrike on a rehabilitation center for addicts in Kabul and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The attack, which occurred on March 16, reportedly left over 600 people killed or injured, according to local sources.
In an official statement, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, emphasized that under international humanitarian law, patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected at all times.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrike in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on March 16, which reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians at a medical facility.”
Haq added that Guterres has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, while offering his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.
The Secretary-General reiterated the urgent need to reduce tensions and immediately halt hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful solutions in accordance with the UN Charter.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
This development comes after Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a temporary cessation of hostilities ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a move that regional officials hope will pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians in both countries.
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IEA Supreme Leader: Afghanistan’s victory lies in faith and National unity
Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.
Eid al-Fitr prayers were held on Thursday at the Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, with a large number of residents attending the ceremony.
During his sermon, Akhundzada said that if the people of Afghanistan were meant to be destroyed by bombardments and military attacks, it would have happened during the wars with the Soviet Union and the United States.
According to the Islamic Emirate leader, the key to Afghanistan’s victory and resilience lies in reliance on Islam, preservation of religious beliefs, and unity among the people. He stressed that by adhering to Islamic values, no country would be able to harm Afghanistan.
Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.
At the same time, he urged government officials to ensure justice in their duties, warning that no system can survive through oppression. He added that the implementation of decrees and laws is necessary to reform society and maintain order in the country.
The Islamic Emirate leader further said that without Islam, Afghanistan could have remained under the control of the United States and NATO, but now, according to him, the country stands as an independent and free nation.
In the economic section of his remarks, Akhundzada called on traders to avoid hoarding goods and instead assist fellow Muslims in difficult times. He warned that individuals found hoarding commodities for up to 40 days would face legal consequences.
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