Christian Aid launches Afghan earthquake appeal
Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal following a major earthquake in Afghanistan.
The 6.1 magnitude earthquake that has struck eastern and rural Afghanistan - and shook buildings from Kabul to Pakistan's capital Islamabad - has killed more than 800 people.
"Colleagues and partners tell us that people have been severely impacted by the earthquake, causing both human casualties and significant financial losses to local communities," Mari McNeill, Head of Christian Aid Cymru, reports. "We have been told homes made of mud and wood collapsed as helicopters were sent in to evacuate the injured."
Afghanistan is one of the worlds’ poorest countries, with nearly half the population needing humanitarian assistance before the earthquake due to conflict, drought, displacement, and political turmoil. In 2025, almost half of the population – some 22.9 million people – already required humanitarian assistance to survive.
Life-saving rescue operations are needed to save the masses trapped under the rubble. Many more are in need of drinking water, food, shelter, blankets and cooking sets, and critical medical supplies.
"Our partners have already reached some of the affected areas," Mari says. "Christian Aid is working closely with our networks to carry out assessments and to identify the extent of the damage and the risk to the most vulnerable, especially for women and girls. The remoteness of the areas hit by the quake makes the search and rescue even harder.
"Our partner OCHR (Organisation for Coordination of Humanitarian Relief) maintains a strong operational presence in the affected eastern provinces and ensures aid is locally led and community-focused."
Christian Aid has released an initial £50,000 to OCHR which will aid an emergency humanitarian response consisting of food parcels, water kits, shelters, and cash for essential supplies.
"We are ready to stand by our partners and quake-affected communities to support their recovery over the coming weeks and months."
More on Christian Aid's response and how to help: Afghanistan Earthquake Appeal - Christian Aid
A prayer for Afghanistan
When the earth trembles and the mountains quake and the earth melts away…
Hold our hearts, God. Send our hands and feet to help however we can.
When the skies darken and the foundations falter and hell erupts underneath…
Hold our hearts, God. Send our hands and feet to help however we can.
When fear and grief shake foundations to the core and continue their devastation long after the world falls still…
Hold our hearts, God. Send our hands and feet to help however we can.
Our sisters and brothers, our family, in Afghanistan live this horror - now.
God of uncontrollable love and mercy, may we match your love in the way we respond - now.