The World Bank Group has released a new report estimating that the 6.0 magnitude earthquake which struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31 caused approximately $183 million in direct physical damages to buildings and infrastructure. This disaster, described as the deadliest earthquake in Afghanistan since 1998, resulted in around 2,000 fatalities and severely affected between 500,000 and 1.3 million people.
The Afghanistan Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimate Report used rapid, remote, model-based methods to assess only the direct economic damage to physical assets. The report does not include estimates for lost production or income, nor does it address reconstruction or recovery needs.
According to the findings, the estimated $183 million in damages is just over one percent of Afghanistan’s GDP for fiscal year 2023. The provinces of Kunarha and Nangarhar were most heavily impacted, accounting for about 97% of total damages—$134.7 million and $42.6 million respectively.
Residential buildings accounted for about 35% of total damage, with non-residential structures and agriculture also suffering significant losses. Many affected homes were particularly vulnerable due to construction with earthen and stone masonry materials and weak mortar. Agricultural losses included damage to grain storage facilities and livestock shelters. Health and education sectors were also disrupted.
A Socio-economic Vulnerability Index was developed as part of the assessment to better understand social vulnerability in affected areas. Existing challenges such as limited healthcare access, poor market connectivity, gender inequalities, ongoing conflict, and inadequate water sanitation systems are expected to worsen the effects of the earthquake and slow down recovery efforts.
"The World Bank stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan following the devastating earthquake in the eastern provinces," said Faris Hadad-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 critical services reach the most vulnerable, especially women and children. We remain committed to helping Afghan communities rebuild stronger and safer, and to supporting their path toward a more resilient future."
Shortly after the disaster occurred, the World Bank identified up to $15 million from existing projects for emergency assistance in affected areas. The Community Resilience and Livelihoods Project is providing cash-for-work programs aimed at restoring essential services such as village roads, irrigation canals and reservoirs, retaining walls, and drinking water supplies; social grants are also being provided for poor households. Additionally, under its Health Emergency Response Project medical supplies have been delivered along with lifesaving care across two dozen project-supported health facilities.
Recovery costs are expected to surpass initial direct damage estimates significantly. The GRADE report emphasizes targeted strategies that address humanitarian needs while considering gender issues as well as broader socioeconomic disruptions resulting from this event.
The Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) approach delivers an initial assessment within two weeks after a disaster strikes key sectors. For this report on Afghanistan’s earthquake impact assessment was conducted by financial support from both GFDRR (Global Facility for Disaster Reduction & Recovery) and Japan’s Ministry of Finance through a program managed by The World Bank focused on mainstreaming disaster risk management practices in developing countries.
"The World Bank stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan following the devastating earthquake in the eastern provinces,“ said Faris Hadad-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 critical services reach the most vulnerable , especially women and children . We remain committed to helping Afghan communities rebuild stronger and safer ,and to supporting their path toward a more resilient future .”
More information can be found at https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena