Khalida, injured in the leg, is learning to walk again
The earthquake on 31 August was the deadliest in Afghanistan's recent history. To improve access to emergency care, HI deployed its teams with the support of the European Union.
Khalida Gulabdin, 12, is tended to by Karishma Ahmadi, HI physiotherapist, at Nangarhar Regional Hospital. | © D. Gordon / HI
To deal with the devastating consequences of the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August 2025, HI deployed its emergency rehabilitation teams to Nangarhar Regional Hospital in Jalalabad, the region's largest city. This initiative, made possible thanks to the support of the European Union, helps to strengthen the hospital's healthcare staff skills and to treat patients through emergency physiotherapy sessions and the provision of walking sticks, crutches and wheelchairs.
A fracture caused by aftershocks
Khalida Gulabdin is a cheerful 12-year-old girl. She lives with her parents in Noorgul, a village in Kunar province, the epicentre of the August 2025 earthquake. Her family was severely affected by the earthquake, which caused their house to collapse. Since then, Khalida and her parents have been living in a temporary home. One day, as Khalida was sitting on a stool in front of a house, a violent aftershock shook the earth. The girl fell heavily and, in her fall, hit the stool and injured her left leg.
Her parents quickly took her to Jalalabad Regional Hospital, where she was tended to by HI physiotherapist Karishma Ahmadi. Khalida had an open fracture to her left tibia and a serious injury to her foot. During the first few days, she was in a lot of pain and very distressed. Her mother is disabled and her father very elderly, so it was vital that she regained the use of her leg.
Karishma showed her physiotherapy exercises to help her regain muscle strength. As importantly, she provided her with crutches, which helped Khalida regain her beautiful smile. Eager to be able to run again, the young girl practises every day to learn how to use them. Khalida has regained hope and is looking forward to returning home to her loved ones.
Improving access to care at Jalalabad Hospital
With support from the European Union, HI has deployed teams to improve access to rehabilitation care at Nangarhar Regional Hospital in Jalalabad. The aim of this initiative is to ensure emergency physical care are available in physical rehabilitation services.
At the end of September, a flight operated by the European Union Humanitarian Air Bridge (EU HAB) delivered more than five tons of essential equipment for patient care, such as crutches, wheelchairs and walking sticks. By mid-November, the intervention had already improved the physical and functional abilities of 356 patients and their caregivers and prevented the onset of permanent disabilities. In addition, HI trained 45 hospital team members in emergency rehabilitation to improve patient care.
