Damage caused by the Afghanistan earthquake is estimated at $183 million

KABUL, October 23, 2025 — A World Bank Group report released today said that the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31 caused direct material damage estimated at $183 million to buildings and infrastructure. The earthquake, the deadliest in Afghanistan since 1998, killed about 2,000 people and severely affected an estimated 500,000 to 1.3 million people.

The Afghanistan Post-Disaster Damage Assessment Global Report provides important insights to support emergency response, recovery planning, and strategic risk reduction efforts. The report was prepared using a well-established, rapid, remote and model-based estimation methodology that focuses on direct economic damage to physical assets. The report does not take into account losses in production or income, nor reconstruction and recovery needs.

The estimated total direct economic damage of US$183 million is equivalent to just over 1% of Afghanistan's GDP for fiscal year 2023. The most affected provinces are Kunarha and Nangarhar, accounting for 97% of the total damage with estimated costs of US$134.7 million and US$42.6 million, respectively.

Residential buildings saw the lion's share of damage – about 35% of the total – followed by non-residential buildings and agriculture. Many of the houses affected by the earthquake were highly vulnerable to collapse due to stone and clay structures, heavy roofs, and weak mortar. Given the rural conditions, agricultural losses – especially grain storage facilities and livestock shelters – were particularly large. The health and education sectors were also affected, leading to the disruption of basic services.

The Socio-Economic Vulnerability Index was developed within the framework of the GRADE assessment to provide an initial understanding of social vulnerability. Pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as limited health care, poor access to markets, gender inequality, conflict, and weak water, sanitation and hygiene systems, are likely to exacerbate the physical impacts of earthquakes and slow recovery. This convergence highlights how existing vulnerabilities amplify the impacts of disasters and underscores the need for targeted efforts in areas most at risk.

“The World Bank stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern provinces,” said Fares Haddad Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan. “Our priority is to work closely with our partners to support emergency response, recovery, and long-term resilience – ensuring that vital services reach the most vulnerable, especially women and children. We remain committed to helping Afghan communities rebuild stronger and safer, and supporting their path towards a more resilient future.”

Within days of the earthquake, the World Bank identified up to US$15 million in existing projects to provide emergency support to affected areas. For example, the World Bank's Community Resilience and Livelihoods Strengthening Project offers cash-for-work activities to restore basic services, including village roads, irrigation canals, reservoirs, retaining walls, and drinking water supplies. Social grants also support poor and vulnerable families. The Afghanistan Health Emergency Response Project provides medical supplies and life-saving care in 24 health facilities funded by the project.

Recovery and reconstruction costs are expected to significantly exceed direct damage estimates. The GRADE report stresses the importance of targeted recovery strategies that address additional humanitarian needs, take into account gender and conflict dynamics, and respond to broader social and economic disruptions.

World Bank and Disaster Risk Management

Disasters hurt the poor and vulnerable the most. Over the past decade, the World Bank has supported client countries in assessing vulnerability, addressing disaster risks, and strengthening resilience to natural hazards. The Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) approach provides a rapid preliminary estimate of post-disaster physical damage incurred by major sectors within two weeks of a disaster. The GRADE report on Afghanistan was prepared and financially supported by the Global Fund for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the Japanese Ministry of Finance, through the World Bank's Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management in Developing Countries Program in collaboration with the World Bank.

Contacts:

In Kabul: Payamil Barrai, [email protected]

In Washington: Serene Goweied, [email protected]

For more information, please visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena

Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldBankMiddleEastNorthAfrica

Updated via Twitter/x: http://www.x.com/worldbankmena

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