Ahmad Khan Safi, a farmer from the Dewagal Valley in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, experienced a life-altering event when a major earthquake struck on August 31, killing at least 2,000 people. This earthquake devastated the previously serene and picturesque valley, noted for its lush landscapes and difficult accessibility. Tourists used to venture here, but now the region is defined by destruction.
The earthquake led to the collapse of Safi's 10-room house, constructed from mud and stone due to the high costs of wood and cement. Trapped beneath the rubble, Safi struggled to breathe and was ultimately injured by falling rocks. He spent an agonizing night under the debris, uncertain of his family's fate. Rescue efforts commenced the following morning, but the rigorous terrain complicated access for aid workers.
Although the earthquake was not the strongest in Afghanistan's history, the rugged and isolated nature of Kunar Province made rescue operations exceedingly challenging. The Taliban authorities attempted to provide aid by deploying helicopters and airdropping army commandos, but the Dewagal Valley lacked viable landing sites and access routes. Many casualties resulted from the inability of rescuers to reach trapped individuals; Safi was carried to safety on a makeshift stretcher.
Devastation in the region was widespread, with Safi reporting that not a single household escaped without loss, and around 130 people perished in his area alone, including 22 of his family members. The overwhelming sense of loss left Safi pondering his future, as his livelihood relied on livestock farming. He lamented the loss of approximately 300 animals, reflecting the daunting reality faced by the entire community, whose means of income had been obliterated.
The United Nations estimates that the earthquake affected up to 500,000 people, with a significant portion being children. The disaster struck communities that were already vulnerable, including those of Afghans forcibly returned from neighboring countries. Additionally, infrastructure such as roads and bridges suffered extensive damage, and many water sources were rendered unusable, posing serious health risks.
Post-earthquake conditions have worsened due to rain, which has caused landslides and flooding. The lack of shelter has forced survivors to sleep under open skies, while entire neighborhoods resemble war zones, with homes that took years to construct reduced to piles of rubble. An assessment by the Islamic Relief charity indicated that only 2% of homes in Kunar remained intact following the quake.
Ghulam Rahman, a resident from Chawkay District in Kunar, lost his wife and five children in the disaster. Trapped beside his wife as she succumbed to her injuries, he described the horrifying experience of hearing her prayers while struggling against the debris. He managed to recover the bodies of some family members, but others remained trapped under the rubble for an additional day. Only two of his seven children survived—one at a religious school and another who was sleeping on the rooftop during the earthquake.
Rahman requested the government provide flat land for burials, voicing his distress about spending nights in the mountains where he lost his loved ones. The event has left deep scars on the survivors, marking a stark transition from life to loss amid the rubble that once represented their homes and livelihoods.
