Singapore, 4 September 2025 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is committing SGD50,000 in humanitarian aid and launching a public fundraising appeal to support communities devastated by the 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Southeastern Afghanistan on 31 August.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by the disaster. The devastation is immense, with lives lost, homes destroyed, and communities in desperate need of immediate relief. We stand in solidarity with the affected communities in Afghanistan, and we will work closely with our Red Cross Red Crescent partners to bring aid where it is needed most. We call on our fellow Singaporeans to join us in supporting the affected communities during these challenging times by donating to our fundraising appeal,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO, Singapore Red Cross.

SRC is pledging SGD50,000 to support the immediate needs and efforts by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and the Movement Partners on the ground. Priority needs include search and rescue support, emergency healthcare and medical supplies, food, clean water, and restoring road access to reach isolated communities affected by the disaster. To complement this, SRC has launched a fundraising appeal, with the Singapore Government contributing US$50,000 in seed funding to support humanitarian relief for vulnerable communities affected by the earthquake.

ARCS is providing immediate aid and conducting needs assessments on the ground. Mobile health teams and ambulances are redirected to the affected areas to provide medical assistance and to transport the injured. Relief items such as blankets, tents, tarpaulins, water containers, food and water are being dispatched to the affected communities. At the same time, ARCS has established temporary camps for displaced families and is focusing on emergency shelter assistance as an immediate priority. 

As a result of the earthquake on 31 August, an estimated 1.3 million people have been affected and over 8,000 houses destroyed or damaged. The death toll has surpassed 1,400, with over 3,200 injured. The figures continue to rise as rescue teams reach the isolated villages. Many families are displaced and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The earthquake further compounded Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian landscape marked by years of conflict, economic hardship, droughts, and past disasters.

Photo via IFRC/ Meer Abdullah Rasikh