Afghanistan FAQs

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most urgent crises. Human rights violations, economic instability and food insecurity are threatening the lives of millions of Afghans.

Communities are still struggling to rebuild their lives after a series of disasters, including deadly earthquakes in August.

Now they are facing a new earthquake disaster. A devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake has struck near Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, destroying homes and leaving families without shelter. 

Afghanistan has already endured 40 years of conflict and instability. More than half the population is in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

These ongoing challenges have stretched refugees, internally displaced people and host communities to their limits. The recent spike in returns from Pakistan and Iran is placing additional strain on Afghanistan's already overstretched resources and services and increasing the risk of further displacement. 

Over two million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan this year. Many have been deported from Pakistan and Iran, or otherwise pressured to leave.  

They are arriving at the border with very few belongings and no idea what the future holds. Many left Afghanistan decades ago. Others have never seen their homeland. They urgently need assistance to start their lives from scratch.  

Tragically, many have been thrust back into disaster amidst this devastating earthquake.  

Your donation can help Afghans survive these desperate conditions. Your gift can provide emergency aid such as tents, blankets, solar lamps, jerry-cans and more – helping families who’ve lost everything get through this latest crisis.  

With homes destroyed, the urgent needs are for emergency shelter and relief items, as well as food, water and medical supplies.  

UNHCR is on the ground assessing the situation and prepared to deliver relief items such as thermal blankets, tarpaulins, jerry-cans, stoves and solar lamps.

UNHCR has been supporting communities in Afghanistan for over 40 years and will continue to stay and deliver through this crisis. 

Afghanistan Situation Portal – for the latest updates on the situation overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in refugees from Afghanistan.

The earthquake comes on top of multiple ongoing crises.  

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most urgent humanitarian emergencies. Following 40 years of conflict and instability, around half the population needs humanitarian aid. Human rights violations, economic collapse and extreme hunger are threatening millions of lives. Natural disasters, including drought, floods and earthquakes, have left communities devastated and struggling to rebuild.  

These ongoing challenges have pushed Afghans to the limit.