Emergency Response: Kunar Earthquacke

On 31 August 2025, a powerful earthquake struck Kunar Province, Afghanistan, causing widespread destruction, displacement of families, and an urgent need for humanitarian assistance. Compassionate Afghanistan organization, with financial support from donor , immediately responded to this disaster and launched its activities with the aim of providing vital health and support services to the affected people.

Background and Initial Assessment

Kunar Province, due to its mountainous location and fragile infrastructure, has always been vulnerable to natural disasters. Even before the earthquake, access to health services in many areas was limited. Following the earthquake on 31 August 2025, CASDHO teams immediately began field assessment activities in the affected areas. These areas included Watpur, Swaki (Diwegal and Chalas), Titak (Nurgal), Manogi, Chapa Darreh, Diwgal, Chalas, and Ziri Baba, which suffered the most damage.

CASDHO Humanitarian Operations in Response
to the Devastating Kunar Province Earthquake

Within 72 hours after the earthquake, the first CASDHO mobile health clinic was launched in the Kunar specific area in Spin Jomat to provide outpatient treatment, triage, and medicine distribution. On 6 September 2025, another mobile clinic was established in Chawkai district which, on its first day, attended to 139 patients, including provision of specialized care to pregnant women. Also, with damage to permanent health centers and increased demand, the capacity of the mobile clinics was strengthened with modern equipment.

Services and Medical Team

Services provided included triage and treatment of injuries, distribution of medicines, management of infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and psychosocial support. Complex cases were referred to the Kunar provincial hospital. These operations were carried out by a multidisciplinary medical team composed of 16 people, including doctors, midwives, nurses, a pharmacist, and a laboratory technician, along with volunteer nurses, especially female doctors and female volunteers.

Establishment and Deployment of Mobile Clinics

CASDHO established close coordination with relevant bodies to maximize the effectiveness of its operations. These collaborations included ongoing engagement with the Provincial Department of Public Health (DOH) of Kunar, local elders, and community councils to ensure social acceptance and alignment with community needs. Additionally, coordination with other humanitarian partners to avoid duplication of activities and to fully cover service gaps was among CASDHO’s priorities.

Collaborations and Coordination