بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
الحمدلله رب العالمین والصلوة والسلام علی رسوله محمد وعلی آله و أصحابه أجمعین. أما بعد:
وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ. الآیة
Distinguished Representatives of Governments and International Organizations, Members of the Diplomatic Corps Resident in Kabul, Distinguished Guests,
You are most welcome!
It is a pleasure to host you at a time when, through the cooperation and support of friendly and compassionate governments, as well as the solidarity of our own people, we have successfully concluded the search-and-rescue operations following the devastating earthquake in Kunar Province, in eastern Afghanistan.
There is no doubt that the recent earthquake in Kunar caused considerable destruction and resulted in significant loss of life.
The earthquake struck at 11:47 p.m. on 31 August 2025, corresponding to the 7th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, 1447 AH. Measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, it occurred in the mountainous areas of the Sawkay and Nurgal districts of Kunar Province.
The earthquake severely affected the lives and homes of people across the eastern provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Nuristan.
For approximately one week following the initial earthquake, aftershocks continued to be felt throughout the affected area.
Immediately following the disaster, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan established a High Commission to ensure transparency in the delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance. Throughout the response period, the Commission effectively coordinated and managed the search-and-rescue operations, as well as the process of delivering assistance to those in need, ensuring an orderly, effective, and transparent response until the conclusion of the operations.
Government search-and-rescue teams were dispatched to the affected areas from Kabul, Nangarhar, and the provincial capital of Kunar, with the support of the Afghan Air Force. Given the mountainous terrain and the difficult access to the affected areas, our search-and-rescue operations relied heavily on air support.
A total of 10 helicopters and one AN-32 aircraft participated in the rescue operations. Operated by 20 highly skilled pilots with extensive knowledge of the local terrain, these aircraft conducted more than 441 flights throughout the response period.
These flights were used to transport essential supplies, including food, medicines, clothing, as well as medical personnel and search-and-rescue teams, to the affected areas. They were also instrumental in evacuating severely injured individuals who required urgent medical attention from the disaster-stricken areas to established emergency camps, Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar, and Kabul.
For the Afghan people, this represents a profound and significant transformation. After decades of war and instability, during which aircraft were primarily associated with warfare and bombardment, and the sound of aircraft overhead was often accompanied by the fear of death, these same aircraft have now become instruments of humanitarian assistance and lifesaving operations, bringing hope and the promise of survival to our people in times of emergency.
Taking this opportunity, I would also like to call upon those countries to which certain groups transferred Afghan Air Force aircraft and other aviation assets four years ago, during the transition, to return these assets to the Afghan people. They should be returned so that they can be utilized for humanitarian purposes and lifesaving operations of this nature.
In areas where access for search-and-rescue teams proved particularly challenging, even our commando forces were deployed by air to reach affected locations and help save the lives of those who remained trapped or in need of assistance.
At the conclusion of the search-and-rescue operations, the High Commission for Disaster Management reported the following final figures regarding casualties and damage:
• Fatalities: 2,205 people
• Injured: 3,640 people
• Homes destroyed: 5,412
Immediately following the disaster, information regarding the urgent needs of the affected population was shared through diplomatic channels with countries that had expressed interest in providing assistance, enabling them to coordinate and deliver support in accordance with the actual needs on the ground.
The most pressing needs in the affected areas included tents, clothing, medicines, and food supplies.
Fortunately, in addition to assistance provided by government institutions and the Afghan people, friendly and compassionate countries from the region and around the world also extended their support. Their contributions included clothing, food supplies, medicines and medical supplies, as well as mobile medical facilities.
Furthermore, search-and-rescue teams from several friendly countries participated directly in the field operations. We extend our special appreciation and gratitude to these teams for their valuable contributions.
We express our heartfelt gratitude to the governments and peoples of the following countries for standing alongside the Afghan people during this difficult time and providing timely assistance: the State of Qatar, the People’s Republic of China, the United Arab Emirates, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of India, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Japan, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Switzerland, and other countries that extended their support.
We also wish to thank all governments, organizations, and communities that expressed their sympathy and solidarity with us in response to this tragic event.
Distinguished Guests,
Although the earthquake in Kunar was an extremely devastating and distressing disaster that inflicted significant material, financial, and human losses upon us, fortunately, the relevant institutions of our government mobilized all available resources immediately following the incident. These included the Air Force of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, local government authorities, the National Disaster Management Authority, the Afghan Red Crescent Society, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, and numerous other institutions.
These institutions promptly deployed their personnel and resources to the affected areas and played a highly constructive role in managing the situation and coordinating the response in the aftermath of the disaster.
Furthermore, although this tragedy brought immense sorrow to the entire country, it also brought the Afghan people together in an extraordinary demonstration of solidarity. People from across the country stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kunar, extending extensive humanitarian assistance to those affected. Large numbers of volunteers also travelled to Kunar to participate in the search-and-rescue operations.
This collective response stands as a remarkable testament to the Afghan people’s national and Islamic values, their spirit of compassion, and their profound sense of unity and solidarity.
In addition to the Afghan communities residing within the country, Afghan communities living abroad also expressed their readiness to contribute humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, however, due to the unlawful and unjust restrictions imposed on Afghanistan, our compatriots abroad were unable to send assistance to their fellow Afghans affected by the earthquake.
It is deeply regrettable and contrary to all humanitarian principles that anyone would obstruct assistance intended for people suffering as a result of a natural disaster.
In this regard, we once again call for the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Afghanistan, so that Afghans may contribute to the reconstruction and development of their country by utilizing their own capacities without unnecessary obstacles.
I would also like to express my gratitude to all governments and organizations that stood alongside us during this tragedy and in our humanitarian response, whether by providing assistance or by issuing statements expressing their condolences, solidarity, and support for the Afghan people.
All these contributions and acts of cooperation are deeply appreciated and deserve our sincere gratitude. Although no amount of assistance can erase the pain and suffering of those who have lost their loved ones, there is no doubt that everyone has made an effort to ease the hardships endured by the affected families.
Distinguished Guests,
Thus far, we have been able to provide immediate and emergency assistance in response to the earthquake crisis, and fortunately, our efforts in this regard have been successful.
Looking ahead, our priority is to address the long-term consequences of the destruction in the earthquake-affected areas and to help alleviate the suffering of displaced families. Our key priorities include providing shelter and constructing permanent housing for those who have lost their homes, as well as rebuilding damaged healthcare facilities, schools, madrasas, agricultural infrastructure, and other essential facilities.
Given that the disaster has severely damaged the basic infrastructure necessary for daily life in the affected areas, there is a pressing need to develop a comprehensive medium and long-term reconstruction plan.
We sincerely hope that, through these efforts and with continued cooperation and support, we will be able to ease, at least to some extent, the suffering and hardships of the earthquake-affected communities in Kunar.
What I have presented to you today provides an overview of the situation in the earthquake-affected areas, the government’s response and management of the crisis, the contributions of international partners and humanitarian donors, and our sincere appreciation to the countries and organizations that extended their support.
Thank you for honoring us with your presence. I kindly request that you convey the matters discussed today, together with our sincere appreciation and gratitude, to your respective capitals and headquarters, as well as to your esteemed Ministers of Foreign Affairs.
Thank you very much.
