Statement on the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan

UN Women
02 Sep 2025, 17:07 GMT+10

We urge local and international responders to ensure women and girls are prioritised in the response – from urgent assistance and care to safe shelter and protection.

During the last major earthquake, in Herat, western Afghanistan, in 2023, nearly six out of ten of those who lost their lives were women, and nearly two-thirds of those injured were women.

UN Women Afghanistan Special Representative, Susan Ferguson, stressed the need for Afghan women humanitarians to be part of the response.

“Women and girls will again bear the brunt of this disaster, so we must ensure their needs are at the heart of the response and recovery,” Ms Ferguson said.

“This includes supporting the vital work of women humanitarians – otherwise women and girls could miss out on lifesaving assistance or information in the days ahead.”

More support is needed to meet the most urgent needs of women and girls, including emergency shelter; blankets and cooking sets; personal hygiene and critical medical supplies —which are reportedly running low— as well as drinking water and food.

Media contacts:

Montira NarkvichienHead of Communications, UN Women Asia and the Pacifice: [ Click to reveal ]

Ann-Marie WilcockHead of Communications, UN Women Afghanistane: [ Click to reveal ]

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kenya Star.

More Information

null in null

Africa

Section

Nike cuts less than 1% of corporate staff in global business reset

BEAVERTON, Oregon: Nike said it will trim fewer than one percent of its corporate workforce, a modest round of cuts that comes as the...

South Africa calling for immediate ceasefire in war-torn Sudan

Pretoria has warned of a worsening crisis and spoken of the need for humanitarian access South Africa calls for an immediate ceasefire...

Rebels accuse Congolese government of breaking peace pledges

The Congo River Alliance, which includes M23 fighters, claims state forces are attacking South Kivu in defiance of ceasefire efforts...

"Prioritize the safety": Global Sumud Flotilla mission for Gaza returns back due to unsafe weather conditions

Barcelona [Spain], September 2 (ANI): The Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip was forced...

Australia's prolific speedster Mitchell Starc bids adieu to T20Is to focus on ODIs, Tests

Canberra [Australia], September 2 (ANI): Australia's one of the most prolific quicks, Mitchell Starc, announced his retirement from...

International Solar Alliance to host seventh Africa Regional Committee meeting in Ghana from Sept 2

New Delhi [India], September 2 (ANI): The International Solar Alliance (ISA) will host the Seventh Regional Committee Meeting (RCM)...

World

Section