How to Give Wisely After the Earthquake in Afghanistan

Hero image for How to Give Wisely After the Earthquake in Afghanistan
calendar icon Sep 02, 2025

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Jalalabad, many are eager to help. Knowing how to give wisely is crucial to making a difference.

Afghanistan Earthquake: What We Know So Far

As of September 2nd, the Associated Press reports a death toll of more than 1,400 following a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The earthquake also caused extensive damage and left many in urgent need of shelter, food, and medical care. 

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Tips for Earthquake Relief Donations

As relief efforts continue, here are some important tips to ensure your donations are effective and reach those in need:

  • Choose Experienced Organizations Support experienced organizations that stand ready to provide quick and effective assistance. Be cautious of newly formed organizations in the wake of a disaster. While well intentioned, they may not be able to follow through on their promises.
  • Look for On-the-Ground Presence Charity that already has skilled operations in affected areas will be in a better position to provide help quickly and reach those in need.
  • Seek Clear Appeals Look for appeals that are upfront and clear about what disaster relief services you are supporting. According to our Give.org Donor Trust Report on disaster relief, only 24% of potential donors believe disaster relief appeals are “very clear.”
  • Give Money Rather Than Goods Donating money is the quickest way to help and gives charities the flexibility to channel resources to impacted areas. In-kind drives, while well-intentioned, may not be the most effective, particularly when disaster hits overseas.
  • Understand Crowdfunding If considering crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust. Review the platform's policies and procedures, keeping in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet posts, others don't.
  • Verify Charity Trustworthiness You can verify a charity's trustworthiness by checking if they meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability on Give.org

For more information on the phases of disaster relief giving, visit our Supporting Disaster Relief cause page. 

BBB Accredited Charities Providing Earthquake Relief in Afghanistan

The following organizations are BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) that are currently collecting funds to support this earthquake relief effort. Additional BBB Accredited Charities will be added as we learn about their earthquake-related activities.