ZOA supports earthquake survivors in Afghanistan

Dramatic consequences

Relief operations in Afghanistan are extremely challenging. Landslides have blocked key roads, and remote villages can only be reached on foot or by helicopter. For affected families, the situation is dire: many have lost their homes and are now forced to stay outside, without access to clean water or enough food.

Hoe is ZOA responding in Afghanistan?

Although ZOA has not been directly active in Afghanistan since 2021, emergency relief was launched right away through a partner organisation Mission East. In the first days after the earthquake, jerrycans, water purification supplies and high-energy biscuits for children were distributed. This provides families with safe drinking water and a first source of nutrition.

At the same time, joint assessments are being carried out together with other aid organisations to ensure a well-coordinated response in the coming weeks and months. Early findings already highlight an urgent need for temporary shelter, blankets, cooking sets, latrines, and hygiene kits.

In 2021, just before the Taliban takeover, ZOA had to make the difficult decision to end its programmes in the country due to the withdrawal of international funding. Yet the legacy of that work continues: many of our former Afghan colleagues have since established their own local organisations and are still serving their communities today.