IRC and Tzu Chi Foundation launch emergency relief and protection response for disaster-affected families in Eastern Afghanistan

Kabul, Afghanistan, March 25, 2026 - The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Tzu Chi Charity Foundation (TZU CHI) have partnered to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to families affected by the recent earthquake in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

With generous support from the Tzu Chi Foundation, the project provides food relief, winter support, and integrated protection services to more than 1,415 earthquake and winter-affected households in Norgal and Chawkay districts, helping communities cope with the aftermath of the disaster and the winter conditions. Support includes the delivery of food assistance, winter kits comprising blankets and warm clothes, and dignity kits for women and girls, ensuring access to essential hygiene and personal care items.

Afghanistan remains one of the world's most climate- and disaster-vulnerable countries. Recurrent earthquakes, floods, drought, and extreme weather events continue to affect communities already facing economic hardship and limited access to essential services. In eastern Afghanistan, the recent earthquake has compounded existing vulnerabilities, leaving families displaced, exposed to winter conditions, and struggling to meet their most basic needs.

Through this partnership, the IRC and Tzu Chi Foundation aim to provide timely and dignified support to those most affected, ensuring active community engagement and mechanisms to ensure transparency and efficiency.

A client chosen for the response stated: "After the earthquake, life became extremely difficult for our family, especially living in a remote area of Kunar Province. We were worried about how to support our children and manage our daily needs. This assistance has brought relief and helped us cope during a very hard time."

Lisa Owen, IRC Afghanistan Country Director, said:

"This partnership with the Tzu Chi Foundation enables us to respond swiftly and effectively to families who have already endured so much. Afghanistan is highly exposed to natural disasters, and when earthquakes strike, communities that are already vulnerable are pushed further into crisis."

In a time of global cuts to humanitarian aid funding, limited resources mean that many families continue to face significant hardships without assistance, highlighting the importance of expanded support to address the full scale of the crisis. Together, Tzu Chi Foundation and IRC are ensuring that affected families receive immediate relief while upholding dignity, safety, and protection.

"Tzu Chi first brought aid to Afghanistan in 1998. Today, through our partnership with the IRC, we are again reaching vulnerable earthquake-affected families in remote areas. This action, supported by Tzu Chi members around the world, are a symbol of global solidarity and a reminder that the people of Afghanistan have not been forgotten." - Simon Shyong, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation

Nearly half of Afghanistan's population - about 21.9 million people - needs humanitarian assistance. As climate-related shocks and natural disasters continue to affect Afghanistan, partnerships like this are critical to strengthening rapid response capacity and ensuring communities receive the support they need to recover and rebuild.