#Afghanistan #Earthquake #ChildFund #Kunar

Emergency Support for Afghan Children After Earthquake

On August 31, 2025, a major earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, leading to significant devastation in a region already burdened with humanitarian crises. The earthquake has resulted in over 800 fatalities and left more than 2,800 injured, drawing urgent attention to the needs of the population, half of whom are already reliant on humanitarian aid.

Immediate Response by ChildFund

In response to this disaster, the international NGO ChildFund has launched an emergency support initiative aimed at assisting children and families affected by the earthquake. This initiative has been kick-started with a crowdfunding campaign as well as direct donation solicitations through their official website.

ChildFund has reported that prior to the earthquake, Afghanistan was in a dire state, with nearly 22.9 million people, including 12 million children, requiring humanitarian assistance due to prolonged conflicts, political instability, and economic stagnation. Women have particularly faced severe rights violations, losing opportunities for employment and education. The recent earthquake, which had a shallow epicenter between 8 to 10 kilometers deep, has further exacerbated an already critical situation, causing extensive damage, especially in mountainous areas.

ChildFund's Experience and Commitment

With over 20 years of experience in Afghanistan, ChildFund has a strong operational presence in the country, focusing on food support, livelihood assistance, and disaster risk reduction, primarily targeting women and children. Following the earthquake in 2023, the organization successfully provided winter aid and essential supplies to 310 households, helping them to survive through the harsh winter.

This time, the emergency support efforts will predominantly focus on Kunar province, which has been identified as one of the hardest-hit areas. Local staff have already begun assessments to devise a comprehensive support plan. While the exact nature of the assistance will depend on the needs identified, priority will be given to vulnerable children and women.

Call to Action for Support

In order to deliver timely aid to those in need, ChildFund Japan has commenced its donation campaign and crowdfunding efforts on September 2. Contributions can be made through their official website or the Yahoo! Net Fundraising platform. Each contribution plays a vital role in saving lives and providing hope for the future of these children.

About ChildFund

ChildFund is a global network of international NGOs dedicated to supporting children living in poverty across various developing countries. Comprising 11 member organizations, including ChildFund Japan, the network provides assistance to over 23 million children and their families in more than 70 countries. In times of conflict and disaster, ChildFund collaborates with its member organizations to deliver urgent relief and recovery support. Recent initiatives also included emergency responses in Ukraine and Gaza.

About ChildFund Japan

Founded in 1975, ChildFund Japan focuses on helping children living in poverty mainly in Asia, promoting their healthy growth while assisting their families and communities towards self-sufficiency. The organization implements sponsorship programs that connect supporters with children via letter exchanges to monitor their development. As it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, ChildFund Japan is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targets focused on reducing child violence and addressing issues like online sexual exploitation of children and child sexual imagery produced by AI.

Through its dedicated efforts and with the support of the public, ChildFund aims to continue making a positive impact in the lives of children in Afghanistan and beyond.