Goto main content

HI assesses physical rehabilitation and mental health needs

Emergency Rehabilitation
Afghanistan

More than 1,000 people killed by a magnitude 5.9-earthquake in eastern Afghanistan. An HI exploratory team sent to assess the needs.

Prosthesis made at HI’s rehabilitation centre in Kandahar.

Prosthesis made at HI’s rehabilitation centre in Kandahar. | © T. Mayer / HI

The earthquake in Afghanistan has caused many deaths and injuries. HI assesses the needs.

Needs assessment

HI has sent a team of rehabilitation and emergency specialists to assess the need for psychological first aid among the health workers and community health workers caring for survivors, as well as needs for psychosocial support for the families and individuals affected by the earthquake.
HI will also be assessing the needs of the 1,500 people injured in the earthquake and coordinating with other organisations on the provision of emergency physical rehabilitation and assistive devices, as well as on referrals to the region’s rehabilitation centres for prosthetics and orthotics devices.

Increasing death toll

More than 1,000 people were killed after a magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan on June 22. Most of the deaths were in Paktika province, in the districts of Giyan, Nika, Barmal and Zirok, according to the State Ministry for Disaster Management. A further 1,500 people were injured. Numerous aftershocks have been felt in recent days, creating fear and panic among the local population.
Needs for shelter are reportedly huge, as scores of houses have been damaged or destroyed. Community infrastructure has also been damaged, seriously limiting access to water and creating a high risk of waterborne diseases. World Health Organization has expressed fears of a possible cholera outbreak.

Where your
support
helps

PRESS CONTACT

CANADA

Jahanzeb Hussain

 

Help them
concretely

To go further

GAZA: Leaders of major aid groups call on world leaders to intervene following UN genocide conclusion
© A. Mohammed / HI
Emergency

GAZA: Leaders of major aid groups call on world leaders to intervene following UN genocide conclusion

GAZA, 17 Sept 2025: The leaders of over 20 major aid agencies working in Gaza are calling on world leaders to urgently intervene after a UN commission concluded, for the first time, that genocide is being committed.
The statement is below:

Malak, 9, walks with new artificial leg
© Khalil Nateel / HI
Explosive weapons Rehabilitation

Malak, 9, walks with new artificial leg

Malak suffered severe injuries and underwent an above-the-knee amputation earlier this year… She is back on her feet after HI’s help.

Civilians are the main victims of cluster munitions
© C. Wright / ICBL-CMC / HI
Explosive weapons Rehabilitation

Civilians are the main victims of cluster munitions

Cluster munitions are forbidden by the 2008 Oslo Treaty. But they are regularly used in Ukraine, mainly in populated areas. Volodymyr is one among hundred victims.