UN GENEVA PRESS BRIEFING

9 September 2025

Afghanistan Earthquake Response

Indrika Ratwatte, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, speaking from Sri Lanka, said over the last eight days there had been frenzied activity on the ground. Regrettably around 2,200 Afghans had perished in the devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August, and 3,640 had been injured. More than 6,700 houses had been destroyed and 900 more had been damaged. Critical infrastructure including roads and health clinics had been completely destroyed or seriously damaged. Around 70 rapid response teams were currently on the ground focusing on the key districts and villages which had been impacted. Around 411 villages had been impacted overall, predominantly in the Kunar province. There had been two serious aftershocks earlier in the week which had further hampered efforts, and those along with rain had caused landslides, making access difficult. The de facto authorities had continued with road clearance and had waived customs requirements for humanitarian relief coming to the country. Mr. Ratwatte acknowledged all the member states who had provided support in the form of food, medicine and shelter. This was life saving for people at this critical time, as winter was fast approaching. These communities had already been impacted by other shocks including a severe drought, as well as by the high numbers of returnees.

Mr. Ratwatte said the earthquake emergency response plan had been launched. There were around 499,000 individuals in the high-impacted areas; the plan aimed to reach 457,000 people in these areas. The response plan was focused on lifesaving, critical provisions and services, including education, emergency shelter, food security, water sanitation and hygiene, and coordination services. The overall funding required was 139.6 million dollars and would cover the period from September until the end of December 2025. Five million dollars had already been released by the Central Emergency Fund, which had been matched with five million from the Afghanistan Emergency Fund. In the Kunar province, there were three internally displaced persons sites cropping up, with people travelling there to gain access to critical services. So far over 43,000 people had been reached with ready to eat meals, and over 1,000 family tents, 900 shelter and repair kits, and 900 non-food items and winter blankets had been distributed. 22 hygiene teams were on the ground supporting communities. 14 mobile veterinary teams were disposing of livestock which had died to avoid contamination. The topography remained extremely challenging; access and communications infrastructure were lacking, and unexploded landmines remained a threat. The teams were operating in conservative communities and were trying to include women within their staff and partner teams. Mr. Ratwatte appealed for the international community to provide flexible resources for the response.

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said yesterday a new consignment of more than 35 metric tons of lifesaving medical supplies landed in Kabul to enhance the WHO’s emergency response to the earthquake. With this shipment, WHO were now pre-positioned to deliver nearly 80 metric tonnes of emergency health supplies to the country since the disaster. The newly arrived cargo, mobilized through the logistics hub in Dubai, included trauma and emergency surgery kits, primary health care kits, non-communicable disease kits and essential medicines. These supplies would be dispatched to health facilities and mobile teams, in the hardest hit areas and would enable doctors and nurses to provide urgent treatments, perform emergency surgeries and help prevent spread of diseases.

The earthquake had left a huge path of destruction across Kunar, Nagoya and Laghman provinces, killing more than 2,200 people, injuring more than 3,600 and destroying almost 6,800 homes. Around 10 percent of the victims were children under five years old. Tens of thousands of families remained displaced, while 20 health facilities had been damaged, and hospitals continued to struggle with hundreds of trauma patients. The well-being of health care workers was also a huge concern. These workers continued to face logistical challenges in the remote areas. Urgent financial support of more than 4 million USD was required.

Homa Nader, International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) Acting Deputy Head of Delegation in Afghanistan, speaking from Kabul, said the inclusion of female aid workers was a critical and unique aspect of the IFRC’s response. In conservative regions, where male-female interaction was restricted, their presence was essential. In the affected region, a highly conservative and traditional mountainous area, gender segregation was the norm, and there were multiple restrictions imposed upon women's social interactions and opportunities. However, the IFRC had supported the Afghan Red Crescent to deploy over 20 female community-based health and first aid workers to the affected area. 14 mobile health teams sent to the region had mixed members, with female midwives, nurses, and nutrition advisors, accompanied by their Mahram (male guardians). This culturally sensitive approach ensured women and girls received safe and dignified care. In these isolated mountainous areas, Afghan Red Crescent teams were often the only accessible source of care for women, making their presence essential to the earthquake response. The IFRC continued to engage with authorities at all levels to ensure female aid workers can operate safely and effectively.

Responding to questions from the media on the situation of women and preparing for winter, Indrika Ratwatte, Humanitarian Coordinator in Afghanistan, said there were emergency response plans in terms of preparing for winter, including providing blankets and heating supplies, or if necessary moving families to internally displaced persons camps temporarily. The provision of tents and shelter repair kits was also vital in this regard. More information would be gathered over the next week by the teams on the ground.

Also answering questions, Mr. Ratwatte said Afghanistan was a conservative Islamic country, and the humanitarian response aimed to ensure women and girls were reached. They tried to have one female worker in every team, however this was not always possible. It was impressed upon the authorities to create an environment where the teams could reach women and girls. It was still a challenge given the remoteness and the operational environment.

Answering the same questions about women and girls, Sofia Calltorp, for UN Women, said the UN Women Country Representative was currently on the ground in the affected areas. Having women deployed as part of the assessment team was key. UN Women had deployed 15 women into teams already, but it was still a challenge. Women and girls were bearing the brunt of the conflict. UN Women would provide a full briefing from the mission on Friday.

Responding to another question, Mr. Ratwatte said he did not have information regarding if women had been left to die because men rescuers had not pulled them out from the rubble. Trying to launch a search and rescue had been challenging and there were not disaggregated figures available. Search and rescue should happen immediately and wherever possible, female colleagues should be mobilized and deployed.

Answering another question, Ms. Calltorp said UN Women were working with women organizations on the ground, and aimed to have one woman in every team, however this was not always possible for various reasons.

Mr. Ratwatte said traditionally, the vast majority of first responders were men, however it was important to recognise the important work by women-led organizations. There were female colleagues on the ground who were assessing, distributing, providing psychosocial care and ensuring individuals directly received the assistance required. The long distances by foot and overnight journeys were extremely challenging. Using helicopters would enable female colleagues to visit more remote aeras. The de facto authorities had responded with essential services, food and the use of the helicopters free of charge, as well as simplifying operations and customs. The funding cuts had been dramatic for Afghanistan; 35 percent of resources had been lost compared to last year. 47 percent of the humanitarian appeal was funded by the United States Government and those resources had been lost. This had deeply impacted the ability of the UN and partners to reach communities.

Responding to another question, Mr. Ratwatte said 70 of the highly impacted areas had been reached. The helicopter used previously was not available due to funding cuts but hopefully by the end of this week, with the resources allocated by the emergency release coordinator, they would be able to deploy pilots to use the helicopter and reach these difficult-to-access places. However, the fact that people were moving to internally displaced person camps was a sign that there could be further internal displacement if assistance could not be ramped up to affected communities.

In response to other questions, Mr. Ratwatte said no resources had been received from the United States Government. It was hoped an exceptional response could be taken given the crisis. The international community had been pulled into other global crisis, but Afghanistan remined the second largest in terms of needs. Some governments had reservations due to the policies of the de facto authorities. The UN and partners aimed to ensure that all resources went directly to affected people.

Responding to another question, Mr. Ratwatte said to his knowledge, teams had not been prevented from providing assistance to women.

Also answering questions, Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said around 60 percent of men, and 40 percent of women had been received at the hospitals.

WHO in Ukraine – preparing for another winter under increasing attacks

Alessandra Vellucci for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said a statement had been distributed on behalf of the Secretary-General, condemning the attacks on Kiev by the Russian Federation on September 7.

Dr. Jarno Habicht, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Ukraine, speaking from Kyiv, said that in Ukraine, there had been more attacks on infrastructure and an attack in Kiev two days ago with more than 800 missiles. This was the reality faced by humanitarians and millions of Ukrainians every day. WHO had been monitoring, validating and reporting attacks on health. There had been 2,600 attacks on health; 12 percent more compared to last year. This put many healthcare workers and civilians at risk. 25 percent of attacks were against ambulances. The attacks had resulted in 250 fatalities and 810 patients and healthcare workers being injured. Dr. Habicht had returned from Zaporizhzhia last night, where everyone was preparing for a winter in war. The strikes were continuous; WHO were constantly delivering medical kits to facilities to care for the wounded. There was a lack of primary health care services available, and these needed to be brought back to the community. Mental health and rehabilitation were vital; the impacts of the war would last for generations. The healthcare workers in Ukraine were extremely resilient; each oblast had their own specific needs and response. WHO were asking for 100 million dollars, which would ensure that the response, recovery and reform of Ukraine could be supported until the end of 2026.

Christian Lindmeier, for the World Health Organization (WHO), said the latest pictures from Dr. Habicht’s mission were being uploaded onto the WHO photo library and could be accessed by journalists.

IOM resumes operations in Khartoum as the number of returns rise

Kennedy Omondi, for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said a press release had been distributed which highlighted the resumption of operations of IOM in Khartoum, where there were an increasing number of returns.

Mohammed Refaat, Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration Sudan, speaking from Khartoum said that a year ago, Khartoum was a city engulfed in war. Today, it was a city of return. In April 2023 the UN evacuated as violence escalated, and last month it had returned and reopened its old offices. The office would also function as an interagency hub, enabling other UN agencies’ operations. In recent months, more than two million Sudanese had begun to make their way back to towns and cities across the country. In Khartoum alone, over half a million people had returned this year, out of the five million who fled during the peak of the fighting.

Across Sudan, families were returning to 1,611 locations in Aj Jazirah, Khartoum, Sennar, Blue Nile, White Nile, River Nile and West Darfur. They were returning to rebuild their lives. However, families were arriving to find their homes looted, damaged or destroyed. Electricity was unreliable or non-existent, clean water was scarce, the risk of cholera was omnipresent, and exploded landmines remained a threat. This morning marked a stark reminder that the conflict in Sudan was continuing, as drone attacks returned to the city, targeting key infrastructure. But IOM was here to stay and was coordinating with partners to restore essential services, including safe water, health care, emergency shelter, and protection for those most at risk. However, needs far exceeded resources. In Khartoum alone, IOM were appealing for 29 million US dollars in predictable and flexible funding to help sustain the lives of those who returned.

Upcoming Global Child Nutrition report

Ricardo Pires, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said tomorrow UNICEF would release its flagship child nutrition report, focusing on the growing threat of childhood obesity worldwide. Many children were growing up in environments where ultra processed foods and beverages were highly accessible and aggressively marketed, driving childhood obesity, even in countries where children faced malnutrition. Obesity, once regarded as a high-income problem, was now rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income countries. The embargoed press release and executive summary had been distributed and included the latest trends in overweight and obesity relative to childhood and evidence of how cheap, unhealthy foods and beverages were flooding shops and markets everywhere, including in conflict affected areas, among other factors. The report would also provide examples of countries taking positive policy action and would present UNICEF's recommendations on what was needed urgently to protect children and adolescents from unhealthy food environments.

Responding to a question, Ricardo Pires, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), confirmed that according to data in the report, one child out of five was overweight and one out of ten was obese. The high-income countries were also becoming increasingly impacted by obesity due to aggressive marketing and weak policies to prevent the spread of unhealthy diets.

Evacuation orders for Gaza city

Responding to questions from the media about the recent evacuation orders for Gaza city, Ricardo Pires, for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), said he had visited Gaza city a month ago and seen the dire conditions children were living in. Displacement due to forced evacuation orders had begun in Gaza city, and the conditions were catastrophic. The order was for the entire population to leave and go towards Al-Mawasi, the so-called “humanitarian zone”, but there was no safe place in Gaza right now. UNICEF were very concerned about the impacts of these evacuation orders. This was the sixth month in a row where the number of children suffering from malnutrition was rising.

Responding to another question, Mr. Pires said that it was true that families were trying to find alternatives and follow forced evacuation orders, however when they investigated possible areas, they found that the risk of trying to move out was greater than staying where they were. He did not have exact figures on this but had heard this information from colleagues on the ground.

Mr. Pires said people were at the edge of survival, crowded in condensed areas, with dire conditions in terms of access to water, sanitation and hygiene. It was difficult to get aid in at enough scale to change the situation. This was a war on children which had persisted for more than 700 days.

Announcements

Alessandra Vellucci for the United Nations Information Service (UNIS), said today, the international community commemorated the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack. There were two events organized by the Permanent Mission of Qatar, taking place today.

Ms. Vellucci also said a press conference would be held on Tuesday, 9 September at 1:00 p.m, to launch of the latest report of the Sudan Fact-Finding Mission. Speakers included

the Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, and two Expert Members.

On Monday, 15 September at 2:30 p.m, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) would hold a press conference on the Launch of the Cluster Munition Monitor 2025 report.

On Tuesday, 16 September at 1 p.m, the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel would present its latest report, hearing from Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission and Chris Sidoti, Commissioner.

Ms. Vellucci also said that this morning, the Conference on Disarmament was holding a public plenary meeting. This afternoon at 3pm, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights would begin the review of the report of the Russian Federation.

Today at 10am New York time, there would be the launch of the Secretary-General’s report on "The Security We Need: Rebalancing Military Spending for a Sustainable and Peaceful Future", which would be webcast online.

Also today, the 79^th session of the UN General Assembly would close and the 80^th session would open. There would be a press stakeout with the new President of the General Assembly.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
UNICEF Ricardo Pires (PR)

• Upcoming Global Child Nutrition report, which will be launched on Wednesday.

TOPICS
IFRC Hannah Copeland (PR) with Homa Nader, IFRC Acting Deputy Head of

Delegation in Afghanistan (from Kabul)
• The latest on the IFRC response to the earthquakes in Afghanistan.
OCHA Jens Laerke (PR) with Indrika Ratwatte, Humanitarian Coordinator in

Afghanistan (from Sri Lanka)
• Eastern Region Earthquake Response

WHO Christian Lindmeier (Zoom) with Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in

Ukraine (from Kyiv)
• WHO in Ukraine – preparing for another winter under increasing attacks.
IOM Kennedy Omondi (PR) with Mohammed Refaat, Chief of Mission IOM Sudan

(from Port Sudan)
• IOM resumes operations in Khartoum as the number of returns rises.