In September 2025, a powerful earthquake struck Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, devastating villages, destroying homes, and leaving hundreds of families without food or shelter. In response, Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) partnered with Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) to support families affected by the disaster through two targeted grants, one focused on emergency food assistance, followed by a second focused on winter shelter and clothing as temperatures dropped. Together, these efforts helped families navigate both the immediate crisis and the difficult winter that followed.

As winter approached in Kunar Province, the risks facing earthquake affected families shifted. With homes destroyed and belongings lost, many families lacked even the most basic protection from the cold. To address this, BBF provided a grant to LIFE to deliver essential winter nonfood items to families most at risk.

Winter assistance was delivered to 100 earthquake affected households, reaching approximately 700 individuals. Each household received a winter relief package that included three winter coats, three pairs of shoes, two blankets, two winter hats, two pairs of gloves, and three pairs of socks.

Families reported that these items made an immediate difference. The winter clothing and blankets helped protect against harsh temperatures, reduced health risks associated with cold exposure, and restored a sense of dignity and comfort during an otherwise difficult season.

 “This year’s earthquake destroyed everything we owned. We have no household items to use during this winter, and we were worried about how to survive the cold nights, especially for our children. Due to the cold weather, our children became ill, and we had no heating or warm items. We sincerely thank Life Organization, with financial support from Brother to Brother Organization, for assisting us during this winter and helping protect our children from the cold.” –  Gul Alam

“Life has become extremely difficult under the current conditions because the earthquake destroyed all our household items, and nothing is usable anymore. At night, I could not sleep due to the severe cold, as I had no blanket or warm clothes to use. I am grateful to Life Organization and Brothers to Brother Organization for providing us with winterization items.” –  Ahmad Wali

“The earthquake took away everything we had. We have no usable belongings and no proper shelter. I would like to thank Life Organization, and Brother to Brother Organization, for distributing winter items such as boots, coats, blankets, and gloves to affected families like us. At least now, during this cold weather, we have warm items to protect ourselves.” – Rahmat Shah

Emergency Food Assistance

Immediately following the earthquake, families also faced severe food insecurity. With supply chains disrupted and household food stores destroyed, many families had no reliable access to meals.

BBF’s first grant to LIFE addressed this urgent need by supporting the distribution of food to 150 of the most vulnerable households across several earthquake affected villages. Following assessments conducted in coordination with local authorities, community elders, and shura councils, food baskets were distributed from September 8 to September 10.

Each household received a food basket designed to meet basic nutritional needs for several weeks, including flour, rice, macaroni, chickpeas, sugar, and semolina, packets of salt, and liters of cooking oil.

This food assistance reached approximately 1,050 individuals directly. For many families, this support represented their first stable access to food since the disaster. Women led households and families with young children reported particular relief, especially from items such as semolina and macaroni, which made it easier to prepare quick, nourishing meals.

By addressing hunger early, the project helped families avoid harmful coping strategies, stabilize household consumption, and begin to regain a sense of normalcy.

Supporting Families from Emergency Through Recovery

Together, these two grants allowed BBF and LIFE to support families through different phases of recovery, first by ensuring access to food, and later by helping families stay warm and protected during winter. This combination of timely assistance helped households stabilize, safeguard their health, and restore a measure of security after the earthquake.