Afghanistan Earthquake Kills over 1,400

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday night, devestating the provinces of Nangarhar and Kunar near the Pakistan border. The shallow earthquake, only 8 kilometres deep, caused widespread destruction.

More than 1,400 people have been confirmed dead, over 3,000 injured, and thousands of home reduced to rubble. The death toll is expected to rise.

Entire villages have collapsed. In Kunar, many people have lost their entire families. One specific video that specifically brought tear to my eyes was of a man who was throwing dust on his head weeping because he had lost 14 family members.

Source: Tasnimnews

Many survivors remain trapped with little hope of rescue. Steep terrains, rockslides, and flood-damaged roads have made it impossible for aid workers to reach remote areas. Helicopters have been used to transport the injured to hospitals in Jalalabad and Kabul, but the scale of need far exceeds the available resources.

Most of the homes in these areas are built from mud bricks and lack seismic safety. Experts say that Afghanistan's high earthquake risk is worsened by poor construction, limited emergency planning, and a lack of early-warning systems.

International aid is slowly arriving. India, the EU, the UK, and Iran have pledged supplies and funds. But the withdrawal of most foreign aid after the Taliban takeover in 2021 has severely weakened the country's ability to respond to crises.

Prayer Points:

1. Pray for the Survivors

Please pray for the people who have lost fathers, mothers, children, and loved ones. Ask that the Lord would give them comfort and peace in this time of grief. Pray for those who have lost all their livelihoods that the Lord would provide for them.

2. Pray for the Rescue Efforts

Please pray for the rescue efforts as there are many still under the rubble and those who are injured and have not received any treatment. Ask that the Lord would give wisdom and compassion to the global community as they seek to help.

3. Pray for the Gospel to Spread

Pray that many Afghans would turn to the Lord and they would find the Him in the Gospel. Pray for us as we share this good news, especially in this horrible time, that we would do it with love, humility, and compassion.