‘My home is a graveyard now’: The aftermath of Afghanistan’s deadly earthquake – Sky News
Mohammad Roshan has lost 18 members of his family.
He said he believes one body is still trapped beneath the bricks and mud of where his home once stood in rural Afghanistan.
Last week a powerful 6.1 magnitude earthquake killed at least 1,000 people in eastern Afghanistan and its lasting effect are clear to see when you arrive.
Looking back at the ruins, Mohammad breaks down in front of us - he has no words to describe how it feels to lose everything.
"If we find them then we will bury them. But it's no difference if they're buried in the graveyard or here. That's a graveyard and so is my home now."
It's not an easy journey to get to the province of Paktika, let alone the most isolated and devastated village in the Bermal district.
In Schwegi China, more than 50 people were killed, entire families wiped out, livelihoods totally destroyed - but assistance is in short supply.
Mohammad takes us to his new home, a tent with the most basic facilities. On the bed lies his sister with a broken leg, she still hasn't had a visit from a doctor and is in a lot of pain.
It's a rarity women are allowed to speak to us but she wants people to hear what she endured.
Bibi Hawwa told us: "When the earthquake struck I didn't know what was happening, I was completely unconscious. When I came round I was shouting for my brother and father and asking why they weren't coming to get me out.
"I had no idea what the situation was like outside."
Very little aid is trickling through to this village, its remoteness is the main reason it was one of the last areas to receive any help.
The communication here is poor, there are no health facilities in surrounding areas and above all else the routes to get here are incredibly tough.
Aid agencies haven't yet found a safe landing zone for helicopters and so all survivors can do is watch as vital support flies past.
But what's more poignant here than anything, is the smell. It's one that will stick with you for quite a while, particularly when you know what it's of.
Bodies remain in the rubble, impossible to reach without proper help.
All but a few homes in this village have been flattened. The earthquake has cut off water supplies here which is making basic living even tougher.
We're approached by Habibullah who wants to show us the destructive impact this earthquake has had on his home and on his life. Villagers tell me his house was one of the nicest in the area and that he'd spent a lot of money and time building it. He's now calling for help to rebuild it.
"We can't live in these tents forever. The government should help us financially so we can rebuild our homes. You can see all my belongings are gone and under the rubble.
"They should rebuild our homes for us, if they can't then at least give us the money so we can rebuild it ourselves."
Our interview with Habibullah is disrupted by the arrival of a male doctor. Habibullah himself needs medical attention, as do many others in the village. They rush to get the help they need.
What's worrying though, it's only men and boys who are being treated. A young man races down the hill carrying seven-year-old Mohammad. He broke his leg in the earthquake and needs medical attention.
As he's having his dressing changed and wounds tended to, the doctor tells us Mohammad is an orphan - he lost his whole family in a flash when the quake shook this country. His physical pain will eventually ease, but the grief of losing the rest of his family will live with this boy forever.
Read more:Will this disaster bring the Taliban back to the international table?People call for help amid devastation and trickle of aid
In the neighbouring village of Lawara there is more stable, continued support. International aid agencies have managed to set up bases to assist those who've lost everything.
Medecins Sans Frontieres was one of the first responders on the ground. Dr Taufeeq has been here for almost a week now and is seeing new patients every day.
"You can see in the surrounding areas there are no health facilities in this area. The routes are very difficult and also communication is not very good, they're the reasons why news about this area was very late."
He adds: "Right now there is a need for trauma care so we have set up a trauma unit here. We're seeing more and more infected wounds as well."
Home upon home has been completely wiped out - this is a village now just made up of tents and mounds of rubble.
Some day though the aid agencies will have to pull out - but leaving is no option for those who survived this crushing earthquake. They face many months, perhaps years literally having to rebuild their broken lives.
Continue reading here:
'My home is a graveyard now': The aftermath of Afghanistan's deadly earthquake - Sky News
- Trump marks three-year anniversary of Afghanistan bombing - PIX11 - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Trump marks three-year anniversary of Afghanistan bombing - PIX11 - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- The Lionesses of Afghanistan Are Still Fighting - Jurist.org - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- The Lionesses of Afghanistan Are Still Fighting - Jurist.org - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Transitioning to Midwife-Led Models of Care in Afghanistan - International Confederation of Midwives - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Transitioning to Midwife-Led Models of Care in Afghanistan - International Confederation of Midwives - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Kazakhstans grain exports to Afghanistan jump 63% in 2025: Report - Amu TV - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Kazakhstans grain exports to Afghanistan jump 63% in 2025: Report - Amu TV - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- 4 killed in clashes between residents and gold mining company in northern Afghanistan - WRAL - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Trkiye withdraws from Afghanistan-Pakistan mediation as border trade remains shut - AnewZ - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Afghanistan exports 38 tons of saffron worth 67 mln USD in 2025 - Xinhua - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- The Contradictions Of Taliban Governance In Afghanistan OpEd - Eurasia Review - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- The Contradictions Of Taliban Governance In Afghanistan OpEd - Eurasia Review - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Taliban Condemn Pakistan Army Remarks on Afghanistan as Irresponsible and Provocative - KabulNow - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Ungoverned Spaces Of Afghanistan And An Evolving Threat By ISKP And TTP OpEd - Eurasia Review - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Afghanistan: Protests over gold mining flare again in Takhar - Amu TV - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Pakistani migrant claims to be from Afghanistan in bid to avoid being deported - GB News - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Six killed in clashes over gold mine in northern Afghanistan, sources say - Amu TV - January 9th, 2026 [January 9th, 2026]
- Stuck in Afghanistan, Pakistanis want border to finally reopen - Shelby News - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Afghanistan Joins Iran, Myanmar, Chad, Eritrea, and Haiti on the US Travel Ban List: Understanding the Ramifications for International Tourism,... - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Beyond the headlines: Stories of strength from Afghanistan - The Hans India - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Afghanistan is once again proving that geography is destiny - Nikkei Asia - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Unknown UAV Crashes in Afghanistan, Likely MQ-9 Reaper - - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Afghanistan goes back to dark ages: Taliban rulers have ordered dozens to be killed by stoning and four convicts to be executed by pushing a wall onto... - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Flash floods kill 12, injure 11 in Afghanistan - The Sentinel - of this Land, for its People - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- If something happens to Amitabh Bachchan, your wife will face consequences: Khuda Gawah producer recalls shooting amid war in Afghanistan - The Indian... - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Enemy of my enemy: Why India is talking to Afghanistan as Pakistans security unravels - Telegraph India - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Hamayun Khan from Afghanistan is OD Young Person of the Month January 2026 - Opportunity Desk - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Flash flooding in Afghanistan leaves at least 17 dead and around 1,800 families affected - AOL.com - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- At least 17 dead after heavy rain and snow cause flash floods in Afghanistan - AP News - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- 17 Killed in Winter Storm in Afghanistan - - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- At least 17 dead after heavy rain and snow cause flash floods in Afghanistan - The Independent - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Afghanistan witnessed a year of deadly natural disasters in 2025 - Amu TV - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- 'Casualties should be anticipated': Howard warned on sending elite soldiers to Afghanistan - SBS Australia - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- European Union: We Will Continue Our Support for the People of Afghanistan in 2026 - Hasht-e Subh Daily - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Weight Loss Surgery in Afghanistan: A Lifeline or a Hidden Threat to Patients Lives? - Hasht-e Subh Daily - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- Aid cuts exacerbating food insecurity in Afghanistan - PressTV - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- NRF Says It Killed Three Taliban Fighters in Counterattack in Northern Afghanistan - KabulNow - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Hunter Biden criticizes Afghanistan withdrawal in podcast interview - NewsNation - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Uzbekistans Exports to Afghanistan Reach $1.3 Billion Over the Past 11 Months - Hasht-e Subh Daily - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Afghanistan witnesses the first-ever aluminium can manufacturing plant launch - alcircle - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Continued Deportations from Pakistan and Iran: More Than 3,400 Return to Afghanistan in a Single Day - KabulNow - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Uzbekistan Exports $1.3 Billion In Goods To Afghanistan In 11 Months - - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Rawadari Report: Ismailis in Afghanistan Victims of Systematic Discrimination and Organized Religious Repression - Hasht-e Subh Daily - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- Afghanistan: The realities behind the economic recovery claimed by the Taliban - Le Monde.fr - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Latest Food Security Report Confirms Fears of Deepening Hunger Crisis in Afghanistan as Winter Sets In - World Food Program USA - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- I am witness to the strength of working women in Afghanistan - Aeon - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Yalda Among Refugees: Honoring the Culture of the People of Afghanistan and Amplifying Womens Voices in Schleswig-Holstein - 8am.media - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- World Migrants Day: 2.3 Million Migrants Returned to Afghanistan This Year - 8am.media - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Latest food security report confirms fears of deepening hunger crisis in Afghanistan as winter sets in - UN World Food Programme - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Amnesty Calls for Halt to Deportation to Afghanistan Over Widespread Rights Abuse - KabulNow - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- From Aria to Herat: A Leadership Crisis and the Need for a Legitimacy in Western Afghanistan - 8am.media - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- India's Healthcare Diplomacy with Afghanistan: Stepping into the Medicine Supply Gap Amid Pakistan Border Tensions in Late 2025 -... - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- EU: We Are Increasing Our Support for Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Afghanistan - 8am.media - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Cutting the Internet in Afghanistan is gender-based violence - Pearls and Irritations - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- Russia Warns of Increasing Daesh Influence in Afghanistan - Modern Diplomacy - December 18th, 2025 [December 18th, 2025]
- New clashes break out between Pakistan and Afghanistan - BBC - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- 'All kinds of negative repercussions': In wake of D.C. shooting, Trump administration turns away from U.S. humanitarian legacy, allies in Afghanistan... - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Australia government announces sanctions on senior officials of Afghanistan Taliban-run government - Jurist.org - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- UN Security Council to Hold Meeting on Afghanistan This Week - Hasht-e Subh Daily - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan trade fire along the border but no casualties are reported - AP News - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Chaotic troop withdrawal from Afghanistan left behind huge haul of American taxpayer-funded weapons - Daily Mail - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Fighting reignites between Pakistan, Afghanistan days after Saudi-mediated talks - thecradle.co - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Three Killed by Leftover Explosive Device in Eastern Afghanistan - KabulNow - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- LF outsourcing patriotism to the occupiers: See how it ended in Afghanistan - Tehran Times - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Al-Julani: Most of those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq wars were innocent, not terrorists - - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- SIGAR: $26 Billion in Waste, Corruption, and Misuse Identified in Afghanistan Reconstruction - Hasht-e Subh Daily - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- At least 5 killed as Pakistan and Afghanistan trade heavy border fire: officials - TRT World - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- From Discrimination to Exploitation: The Hidden Cost of Salary Secrecy in Afghanistan - Hasht-e Subh Daily - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Rising Afghanistan-Pakistan Hostilities Threaten Chinese Interests And Investments - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan trade fire along the border but no casualties are reported - Newsday - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- ICE Arrests Criminal Illegal Aliens from Afghanistan Released Into Our Country by the Biden Administration - Homeland Security (.gov) - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Afghanistan-Pakistan Quagmire Reveals the Limits of Chinas Leverage - orfonline.org - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- The 42nd meeting of the Working Group on Afghanistan under the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers was held at the CSTO Secretariat - () - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Capstone report on US bid to rebuild Afghanistan says cost far exceeded Marshall Plan price tag - Stars and Stripes - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- The shooting in DC by an Afghan suspect shouldnt reflect on all Afghanistan, minister says - AP News - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Icy Relations Between Pakistan and Afghanistan Threaten Central Asian Trade Plans - The Times Of Central Asia - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan trade fire along the border but no casualties are reported - Toronto Star - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Iran Join Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Chad, and Others to Face Significant US Entry Restrictions and Travel Bans Due to Growing... - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- U.S. spent more on Afghanistan rebuild than Marshall Plan; nothing to show after two decades of war - Washington Times - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]