WCC NEWS: Faith-based groups help on long road of earthquake recovery in Afghanistan

A 31 August magnitude six earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed more than 1,400 people; injured 3,394; and damaged 6,782 houses.  Photo: Directorate of Economy (Nangarhar province) 15 September 2025 Limited access to some affected areas continues to hinder assessments and response. Extensive housing damage in Kunar, where 98% of houses are either fully or partially destroyed, has left families highly vulnerable.   Severe sanitation shortfalls have increased the risk of cholera and other diarrheal disease outbreaks. There are also imminent winter risks for high-altitude communities, where blankets, heating, and warm clothing remain insufficient.   “Entire villages have been flattened, leaving survivors without shelter or essential supplies,” said Michael Mosselmans, head of the Humanitarian Division at Christian Aid. “Following the first shocks, Christian Aid’s local partner the Organization for Coordination of Humanitarian Relief conducted a rapid needs assessment in Kunar Province from 1–2 September.”   Approximately 10% of surveyed households were female-headed. “The assessment confirms widespread destruction of housing, severe disruptions to livelihoods, food insecurity, lack of access to safe water and sanitation, and urgent demand for emergency shelter and non-food items,” said Mosselmans.  The Organization for Coordination of Humanitarian Relief is addressing the immediate humanitarian needs of earthquake-affected communities in Kunar Province.   “The project specifically targets the most vulnerable groups, including pregnant and lactating women, elderly-headed households, female-headed households, child-headed households, and households with persons with disabilities or chronic illnesses, who otherwise face heightened risks of food insecurity, harsh living conditions, and seasonal diseases in the aftermath of the disaster,” said Mosselmans. “A total of 320 of the most vulnerable households in Kunar Province will be reached through this initiative.”   He added that continuous engagement with these committees, alongside coordination with local authorities and relevant stakeholders, is promoting community-led decision-making and adherence to humanitarian standards.  “After the first three months, we will provide, in the recovery phase, distribution of winter clothing kits and blankets to 780 households consisting of 5,460 individuals to protect earthquake-affected men, women, boys, and girls during the cold season,” said Mosselmans.    Christian Aid and its partners are inviting all people of good will to join the the prayer below.    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.   Amen. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/  See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland