The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) assured on Wednesday that no Filipinos were reported injured or affected by the powerful magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on August 31.
According to the DFA, there are only seven Filipino nationals currently in Afghanistan, most of whom are based in or around Kabul. None of them were in Jalalabad, Nangarhar, or Laghman—the areas most severely hit by the quake.
Since the Philippines does not have an embassy in Afghanistan, its diplomats in Pakistan immediately reached out to the Filipinos in Kabul to check on their safety.
“As of this time, there are no reports of Filipino casualties or injuries. No Filipino nationals are known to be in evacuation centers, and no evacuation orders have been issued,” the DFA said in a statement.
Quake’s Impact in Afghanistan
The earthquake’s epicenter was located 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad. Landslides and blocked roads have made rescue and relief efforts extremely difficult, slowing down the delivery of humanitarian aid to affected communities.
The DFA explained that Philippine diplomats in Islamabad, who oversee Afghanistan, are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities. A follow-up advisory will be issued should new developments arise.
For now, the Filipino community in Afghanistan remains safe—but the DFA continues to stay on alert.
