Residents report a complete lack of basic necessities such as heating equipment, warm clothing, and adequate food supplies. The harsh winter weather has made living conditions unbearable, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Months after a devastating earthquake struck parts of Afghanistan, survivors in remote areas continue to endure extreme winter conditions without proper shelter, heating, or sufficient humanitarian support. Women and children, already heavily impacted by ongoing Taliban-imposed restrictions, are bearing a disproportionate burden as freezing temperatures compound the crisis.
Ongoing Crisis for Earthquake-Displaced Families
In Nangarhar province’s Dara-e-Nur district, families displaced by the earthquake remain in makeshift tents despite heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. Residents report a complete lack of basic necessities such as heating equipment, warm clothing, and adequate food supplies. The harsh winter weather has made living conditions unbearable, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Resident Agha Khan described the dire situation: “People are living in tents. You can see the conditions yourself. There is snow, the weather is extremely cold and everyone – children, women and the elderly – is suffering.”
Another local, Abdul Qadir, appealed for government intervention: “It is winter and snow has fallen. The government should cooperate with us and provide basic necessities for the people.”
Aid agencies have previously warned that prolonged delays in assistance during winter could place dozens of families at serious risk, with Afghanistan’s widespread poverty, limited infrastructure, and funding shortages hindering recovery efforts.
Disproportionate Impact on Women and Girls Under Taliban Rules
Taliban policies, including severe restrictions on women’s movement, education, and access to healthcare, have exacerbated vulnerabilities in disaster scenarios. A September 2025 analysis following an earlier major earthquake highlighted how women and girls often “bear the brunt” of such events due to bans on treatment by male doctors and a drastic shortage of female medical staff – worsened by a December 2024 Taliban directive barring women from pursuing medical education or exams.
In past earthquakes, women and children comprised the majority of casualties, as families hesitated to seek hospital care for injured females or faced overwhelmed facilities lacking female personnel. Similar challenges persist today, with limited female humanitarian workers impeding targeted aid delivery to women in conservative or remote communities.
UN Women and agencies have repeatedly called for gender-sensitive responses that prioritize women’s needs, including support for female aid workers to ensure lifesaving assistance reaches those most isolated by restrictions.
Broader Winter Weather Toll and Humanitarian Challenges
The earthquake aftermath coincides with severe winter weather across Afghanistan. Recent heavy snow and rain have killed at least 12 people and injured five others in provinces including Parwan, Nangarhar, Bamyan, Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Jawzjan, and Faryab. The storms caused power outages in multiple regions, disrupted major highways like Kabul–Jalalabad, and damaged infrastructure.
The Taliban-run National Disaster Preparedness Authority has urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and instructed local officials to deliver food and non-food aid swiftly to affected families. However, reports indicate that aid has not reached many earthquake survivors in eastern Afghanistan, leaving them exposed to life-threatening cold.
Afghanistan’s recurring natural disasters – from earthquakes to extreme winters – highlight the country’s vulnerability, amplified by political isolation, economic hardship, and restrictive governance.
