A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near Jalalabad in Nangarhar Province, killing over 1,400 people, injuring more than 3,100, and destroying 5,400 homes. Entire villages have been flattened, and thousands of families are now displaced, grieving, and in urgent need of support.
The humanitarian situation is dire. The earthquake hit a country already grappling with a severe economic crisis, reduced international aid, and the return of millions of Afghans from neighbouring countries. The UN has warned that hundreds of thousands could be affected.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by difficult terrain, including landslides that have blocked key roads. Authorities and aid organisations are working to provide assistance, but the scale of the devastation is overwhelming.
Children are among the worst affected. Many have lost their homes, loved ones, and access to basic necessities. Schools and health facilities have been destroyed, leaving children vulnerable to disease, trauma, and exploitation.
Penny Appeal Australia is working with trusted partners on the ground to deliver life-saving aid to those most affected. Our emergency response includes:
Afghanistan was already facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. This earthquake has deepened the emergency, especially for women, children, and people with disabilities. Infrastructure damage and access restrictions are making it harder for aid to reach those in need.
But we will not stop.
Your support helps us reach families in the hardest-hit areas, bringing hope, healing, and dignity to those who need it most.
