Afghan quake survivors face winter shelter crisis

Villagers across northern Afghanistan are confronting a severe humanitarian challenge as winter nears, after a string of powerful earthquakes left many homes uninhabitable and thousands without proper shelter. Displaced families now face cold temperatures with limited supplies and mounting needs.

The most recent tremor, measured at magnitude 6.3, hit Samangan and Balkh provinces and killed at least 27 people. In Samangan’s Khulm district, entire houses were flattened. Survivors such as Gulabuddin are mourning relatives and dealing with injuries and lost belongings. "Winter is coming. We have children aged four and five. Where can we go?" he said, outlining his family’s precarious situation.

Two months earlier, a shallow magnitude 6.0 quake killed more than 2,200 people, making it one of the deadliest recent shocks. In Kunar province, people like Bazarga Safay are living in cramped tents that offer little protection from the cold. Many families, wary of aftershocks, are sleeping outdoors where temperatures can fall to around -20°C (-4°F).

Humanitarian assistance remains limited. International agencies report insufficient aid as some major donors, including the United States, have cut or withdrawn funding. A number of camps have been set up near the base of Mazar Dara mountain, yet roughly 77 percent of survivors say they will remain in their villages through winter due to lack of money or alternatives.

Taliban authorities say reconstruction plans are in motion, with dozens of new homes proposed, but independent assessments show little visible progress. Survivors insist rebuilt houses must use concrete and bricks to withstand future quakes. "We want to rebuild our house in the same place, but not in the same way. Only concrete will work," said Sayid Wali Safay.

With heavy rains turning footpaths into mud and cold weather closing in, survivors face a dual threat from aftershocks and freezing conditions. Immediate distribution of winter clothing, blankets and robust shelter is critical to prevent further fatalities.