Afghan Earthquake Survivors Refuse Return Villages Over Aftershock Landslide Fears

Survivors of recent earthquakes in Afghanistan's eastern province of Kunar refuse to return to their destroyed villages, fearing aftershocks and landslides that could bring rocks crashing down from the mountains. More than 2,200 people have died and over 3,600 were injured in the earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks, which flattened thousands of mud and stone homes. Many displaced families now camp in fields and beside roads without adequate shelter, sanitation, or food, relying on patchy and slow aid deliveries. Children are among the worst affected, with many losing family members and enduring traumatic experiences. Survivors express concerns that even rainfall could trigger deadly landslides, leading some to fear permanent displacement unless the government provides safer living arrangements. The poverty and poor infrastructure in the region exacerbate the challenges faced by these communities in the aftermath of the disaster.