In the remote mountain villages of Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, two powerful earthquakes struck within days of each other, silencing daily life and reducing entire communities to piles of stone and mud. More than 2,200 lives have been lost, 3,600 people injured, and tens of thousands displaced. In some districts, over 90% of homes have been destroyed, leaving families without shelter as they face the harsh winter ahead. Access to clean water, schools, and health centers has also been severely disrupted, further compounding the crisis.
All Hands & Hearts Is On the Ground, Responding
Immediately after the earthquakes, the All Hands & Hearts (AH&H) local team moved quickly to source the essential items families need most. Because supplies weren’t available in one place, they crisscrossed different towns and markets to gather everything from blankets and solar panels to kitchen sets.
At the same time, transport was secured, with a truck arranged for bulk items and a smaller vehicle to support the team’s mobility. Step by step, a foundation was laid to get aid moving toward remote mountain villages.
On arrival, a jirga (a traditional community council meeting) was held, bringing together local leaders to ensure aid would be distributed fairly and reach the families most in need. From there, donkeys and horses were hired to carry the supplies across steep, rugged terrain, making it possible to deliver relief to mountain villages otherwise cut off from outside help.
Getting to Villages, Where No One Else Had Arrived
After hours of travel, we arrived in Andarlachak, a remote mountain village two hours walking from the nearest road. The journey was difficult, and what we found was devastating: survivors in shock, entire communities cut off by landslides, homes collapsed or too unstable to enter, and families living in makeshift camps or out in the open, fearful of aftershocks.
We delivered urgent relief to several communities who had been isolated for days. Water, blankets, solar power panels and kitchen sets have now been distributed to hundreds of families.
In Kunar Province, urgent relief items from AH&H have now reached 10 villages across Lachak, Chalas and Badinzo camps.
With supplies finally in the hands of families, the focus has turned to restoring a sense of stability in the midst of devastation. Villagers received blankets to shield them from the cold nights, solar panels to bring light and power, and cooking sets so families could once again prepare warm meals together. The distributions did more than meet urgent needs—they also showed families in these remote mountains that they are not alone.
With winter approaching and entire communities living in temporary shelter, the need for continued support is urgent. Thank you for standing with AH&H as we work to keep families safe and supported through the months ahead.
Make a Difference
Your support is bringing lifesaving relief to families in Afghanistan’s earthquake-stricken villages. Please consider donating today so we can continue delivering critical aid to communities still cut off from help. Together, we can bring hope and relief where it’s needed most.
Thank you for standing with communities in their greatest time of need.
