October 24 - A new Humanitarian Rapid Research Initiative (HRRI) review released today by Humanitarian Outcomes (HO), the UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH) and Elrha examines the response to the devastating 31 August 2025 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan and reveals the humanitarian system’s fragility under pressure.
The 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the mountainous provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, killing nearly 2,000 people, and affecting more than 50,000. The review, commissioned by UKHIH and Elrha and conducted by HO, interviewed affected residents, local responders, and humanitarian actors.
Despite a rapid mobilisation by Afghan and international actors, the response was undermined by a global funding contraction and the dismantling of the US foreign aid programme earlier this year, which left the UN appeal severely underfunded. Aid agencies drew down reserves and reprogrammed existing grants, but the short-term response may come at the cost of future preparedness and basic services in the country.
The report also highlights the continued exclusion of women from humanitarian work in Afghanistan. Although local authorities allowed a small number of female staff to participate in the response, systemic restrictions remain in place. These limitations severely hinder humanitarians’ ability to reach women and girls with essential services, particularly in areas like health, shelter, and psychosocial support.
“Many female Afghan aid workers describe a profound moral injury: the burden of having to navigate restrictions that contradict their principles, while knowing their work is essential to saving lives. Yet within these constraints, they have forged a form of subversive solidarity,” - Report co-author Orzala Nemat.
Mental health emerged as another critical gap. Every Afghan person interviewed reported trauma, anxiety, and psychological distress in their community, yet support services remain scarce. The report calls for urgent investment in community-based mental health and psychosocial support, including for women and children.
The review also critiques the outdated structures of the international humanitarian system. With funding gaps reaching 80% in some areas, traditional models of appeals and coordination are no longer tenable. Instead, the report advocates for more area-based approaches, stronger local partnerships, and a broader donor base that includes private sector and non-traditional contributors.
As another co-author, Glyn Taylor, explained,
“The international response had positive characteristics but did not demonstrate the spirit of the humanitarian reset. From the outset, the response plan was divorced from the very predictable response from donors and disconnected from the non-traditional and local responders.”
The full report, Seismic Shifts: How a Humanitarian Sector in Upheaval Responded to the 2025 Afghanistan Earthquake, is available here on the UKHIH website. It is also available from the HO website.
A virtual discussion on the review findings will be held next week on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 at 15:00 - 16:00 GMT /11:00 - 12:00 EST / 18:30 - 19:30 Afghanistan time. Confirm your spot here.
The full report will also be made available in Pashto and Dari.
Notes to editors
Humanitarian Outcomes is a team of specialist consultants providing research and policy advice for humanitarian aid agencies and donor governments. Their work covers the institutional, financial, and operational mechanics of the international humanitarian system, and considers the broader political environment in which aid policy takes shape.
Contact the HO research team at info@humanitarianoutcomes.org.
The UK Humanitarian Innovation Hub (UKHIH) is a humanitarian initiative funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). As a UK-based humanitarian initiative, hosted by Elrha, UKHIH leverages expertise from the UK and across the globe to improve international humanitarian action, connecting the people equipped to bring about systemic changes that will strengthen and support humanitarian response.
Contact UKHIH at info@ukhih.org.
Elrha is a global organisation that finds solutions to complex humanitarian problems through research and innovation. As an established actor in the humanitarian community, Elrha works in partnership with humanitarian organisations, researchers, innovators and the private sector to tackle some of the most difficult challenges facing people all over the world.
Contact Elrha at info@elrha.org.