Afghan quake survivors fear landslides, won’t go home

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

In early September 2025, two strong earthquakes hit eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province. The earthquakes shook the land hard and caused terrible destruction. More than 2,200 people lost their lives, and over 3,600 were injured.

Thousands of homes made of mud and stone were destroyed, leaving families without shelter, food, or safety. The people who survived are scared to return to their villages because they fear more landslides or aftershocks might happen. Instead, many are living in open fields and by riverbanks without proper shelters or tents to protect them from the weather.

Fear of Landslides Keeps People Away from Home
Many survivors say the mountains near their villages are now very dangerous. Aftershocks, smaller earthquakes that follow the main ones, continue to shake the area. These tremors loosen the soil and rocks on the hills and mountains.

Because of this, large rocks and boulders could fall at any moment, threatening anyone who tries to go back home. This fear keeps people in temporary camps, even though these camps are far from comfortable.

Adam Khan, a 67-year-old farmer, lives in Masud village. He lost his home in the earthquake and now stays outside leaning on his cane. He said, “We have no shelter, not even a tent. It rained last night and we had no place to hide. Our biggest fear is big rocks falling from the mountains.

” Many other families like his share the same fears, so they stay in makeshift camps near roads or rivers, surrounded by broken buildings.

Difficult Living Conditions in Temporary Camps
These camps are very basic. People live in small tents that cannot protect them completely from the weather, or sometimes they have no tents at all. They face heavy rains, hot sun, and cold nights without good protection. Children and elderly people are especially vulnerable. Without enough blankets, clean water, or food, they are at risk of sickness and exhaustion.

Shams-ur-Rahman, a 40-year-old farmer from Shaheedan village, lost six family members. He fled with nine family members and now sits in the open near a road with very few belongings.

He said, “The tents they gave us cannot even fit our children. When we came down the mountain, I did not have shoes for my son, so we shared mine by taking turns.” These harsh conditions make daily life a struggle.

Aid Is Coming but Not Enough
Many aid groups are trying hard to help. Food, water, blankets, and medical supplies have been flown in by helicopters to some areas, but reaching all villages is difficult. Roads are broken or blocked by landslides, and some villages are hours away by foot from the nearest road. This slows rescue and relief efforts.

Even though some supplies have arrived, many survivors say the help is not enough. They need more tents, clean water, and medicine. The lack of proper sanitation leads to a risk of diseases spreading among people living closely in camps with poor hygiene.

Children Suffer the Most
Children are the hardest hit by this disaster. Many have lost their homes, friends, or family members. Some were trapped during the earthquakes, and many face trauma and fear of future disasters. Twelve-year-old Sadiq was trapped under rubble for 11 hours. He was rescued but lost his grandmother and cousin during the event. He said, “I thought I would die. It felt like doomsday.”

Many children in the camps are scared and stressed. Without safe shelters, enough food, and medical support, their health and wellbeing continue to worsen.

Why Survivors Do Not Want to Return Home
People like Gul Ahmad, a 51-year-old survivor, say they cannot go back to their villages even if there is no more earthquake. They worry that ordinary rains could cause landslides or rockfalls. Gul Ahmad said, “We will not go back. The government must find a safe place for us to live.”

This shows that many survivors see their displacement as long term. Their homes are damaged beyond repair and the land is unsafe. Rebuilding will require safer places and better construction to protect against future earthquakes and natural disasters.

A Call for More Help and Support
Many aid agencies warn that without fast and proper help, the situation will get worse. Lack of shelter, clean water, and food will cause more suffering. Diseases could spread, and the trauma from the disaster may lead to mental health problems.

Health workers report that many survivors need physical rehabilitation after injuries, and psychological support is urgently required. The shock and sadness affect people deeply, especially those who lost loved ones.

The World Health Organization and other humanitarian groups say more funds and resources are needed to help these survivors rebuild their lives. They ask governments and organizations around the world to increase their support.

The Challenges of Rescue and Relief
Rescue teams face many difficulties reaching the most remote villages. Roads are blocked by rocks and damaged by rains. Sometimes rescuers have to walk for hours just to reach the affected areas.

Despite these problems, rescue efforts continue late into the day and night. Volunteers and aid workers clear rubble, treat the injured, and distribute relief supplies under difficult conditions.

People living in the mountains are isolated. They depend heavily on aid deliveries and emergency help to survive the next few months, especially as winter approaches.

The Human Cost and Hope for the Future
The earthquakes have left deep scars on the communities. Families mourn their lost members and try to save what little they can. Many survivors remain hopeful, hoping that one day they will have safe homes and normal lives again.

Communities are helping each other to survive through this crisis. Sharing food, protecting children, and looking for safer places show their strength and courage.

Still, the road to recovery will be long and difficult. Rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and lives will take years. Survivors need continuous support to overcome the trauma and poverty caused by this disaster.