Afghanistan's deadliest earthquake in two decades has left the Taliban struggling to respond.
The epicenter of the earthquake was southwest of Khost. The tremors were felt in the capitals of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Up to 1,800 homes were destroyed in Afghanistan's mountainous paktika province, according to the UN. More than 1,000 people have died and thousands more have been injured according to the state-run news agency.
The Taliban government has not faced a disaster like this since it assumed power.
The Taliban's supreme leader made a rare public appearance to plead for help for the Afghan people.
The government is working within its capabilities according to Anas Haqqani. We hope that the international community and aid agencies will help our people.
The Washington Post reported that a spokesman for the Taliban called for aid teams to be sent to the area.
75% of the previous government's budget was funded by foreign aid prior to the Taliban takeover.
After the US and NATO forces left Afghanistan, many international aid organizations pulled out. The average number of people killed by earthquakes in Afghanistan is 560, but this one is the worst in recent memory.
There are rockslides that we won't know about until later reports. A seismologist with the US Geological Survey told the AP that older buildings are likely to fail. In the past, similar earthquakes have caused significant damage due to the fact that the area is so small.
Several news reports say that the UN and aid agencies from Pakistan are responding to the earthquake.
People on the ground are giving out blankets and hygiene kits. "We have several mobile health and nutrition teams on the way to administer first aid to those who are injured."
She said that the population is deeply impoverished and is suffering from the worst dry spell in 37 years.
Almost all of the Afghans don't get enough to eat, according to the UN. More than one million people have left their homes because of the economic downturn.
It is not known how many people are stuck in rural areas. The death toll is expected to go up.
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