Saving lives with their words: Afghan media outlets get help for survivors of devastating earthquake

The earthquake of 6.0 magnitude that hit the eastern region of Afghanistan on the night of Sunday, 31 August, destroyed entire villages. Yet, due to the lateness of the hour and the lack of connectivity in the region, the de facto authorities (dfa) were initially unaware of the scale of the tragedy. Afghan journalists who rushed to the affected villages quickly broadcast their first person accounts of what they saw, thus prompting the dfa to understand the large scale of the devastation and send in rescue workers and other aid.

Afghan journalists’ reporting thus contributed to saving lives during one of the deadliest tragedies to hit the country.

In the almost two weeks since the earthquake – which was followed by a second earthquake of 5.6 magnitude on 4 September which struck Kabul, Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman and several other provinces – Afghan journalists have been working hard to provide information that would help both the national and global authorities understand the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for assistance. The confirmed death toll is now more than 2,200 and figures are expected to rise.

Impact of local media

Local media broadcast casualty figures, aftershock warnings, blood donation appeals, and other essential guidance that provided lifesaving information when it was most needed. In Kunar, several radio stations relayed official announcements, highlighted the urgent need for food, tents and clean water and mobilised communities for blood donations and relief support.

Beyond Kunar, Afghan media across the country mobilised to cover the disaster, sending reporters from Nangarhar, Laghman, Kabul, and other regions. They produced continuous updates from hospitals and devastated villages, broadcast special programmes and appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance.

The work of the Afghan journalists drew international attention to the crisis. The United Nations and its agencies, including UNICEF, OCHA and the World Health Organization (WHO), mobilised emergency support. UNICEF has deployed mobile health teams in Kunar and Nangarhar, OCHA has activated rapid coordination mechanisms and WHO has emphasised urgent health needs and the shortage of medical supplies.

Alongside the UN, several countries have also pledged support, including the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, India, UAE and Qatar, as well as others working through international partners. Their contributions include in-kind relief, medical and rescue support, and humanitarian assistance coordinated through UN-supervised mechanisms and NGOs to ensure delivery to affected communities.

Reporting on women

Afghan journalists have also reported about how the de facto authorities’ rule to not allow men doctors to treat women injured in the earthquake has resulted in the death of at least six pregnant women. Women are only allowed to be treated by women doctors, but there is a severe shortage of women doctors as the dfa do not allow women to study medicine. The journalists’ reporting has drawn significant international attention to the condition of Afghan women under the dfa’s rule.

IMS partner’s role

IMS’ local partner has been coordinating with the dfa and helping journalists access and disseminate reliable information. IMS’ partner, in coordination with dfa, arranged for military helicopters to transport journalists to the disaster areas. This effort facilitated the safe travel of approximately 30 journalists to affected valleys, ensuring timely and accurate coverage.

IMS’ partner also provided basic safety guidance to journalists in the field, including information on how to take precautions during aftershocks, how to avoid unstable walls and debris and how to identify safe access routes. The partner also mediated with local gatekeepers to ensure journalists could reach affected areas without obstruction, while maintaining regular check-ins with teams in the field. Also, the partner is offering psychological support to journalists who witnessed mass casualties and are now vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional exhaustion and recurring trauma triggers.

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