GPC Operations Cell: gpc[at]unhcr.org
Gender-Based Violence: chase[at]unfpa.org
Child Protection: rpouwels[at]unicef.org
Housing, Land and Property: jim.robinson[at]nrc.no
Mine Action: unmasgeneva[at]un.org
On 31 August 2025, a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, severely affecting Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces. An estimated 2.1 million people were exposed to strong shaking (MMI V–IX), and predictive analysis indicates that about 1.2 million people (≈60%) are also exposed to heightened protection risks. The most affected risks are mine contamination (43%), disinformation (26%), and gender-based violence (13%), which together account for over 80% of predicted exposure. While the largest number of affected people are in areas of “moderate” shaking (MMI V), 462K people in higher intensity zones (MMI VI–IX) face disproportionately severe risks due to greater destruction and pre-existing vulnerabilities. Immediate response priorities include urgent protection interventions addressing mine action, risk communication, and GBV services, alongside broader protection support in moderately shaken but heavily populated areas.
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