Sat Sep 06 09:00:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
A devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan over the weekend, leaving over 2,200 people dead. The remote, mountainous terrain and widespread destruction are severely hampering rescue and relief efforts. While the Taliban government is deploying resources, the response is further complicated by pre-existing challenges including funding cuts, a weakened economy, drought, and the recent return of Afghan refugees. Humanitarian organizations are calling it a “crisis within a crisis” due to the overwhelming needs and limited resources.
**News Article:**
**Afghanistan Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 2,200 as Relief Efforts Struggle**
**Kunar Province, Afghanistan** – The death toll from the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan Sunday night has risen to over 2,200, according to a Taliban government spokesman. The quake, which decimated villages in the mountainous provinces of Kunar and others, has left countless families devastated and struggling to survive.
“We have recovered more than 2,200 bodies from destroyed houses,” said Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat on Thursday. “Rescue and search efforts are still underway, with tents set up and first aid being delivered.”
The remote and rugged terrain is posing a significant challenge to rescue and relief operations. While the Taliban has deployed helicopters and army commandos, aid workers are often forced to trek for hours to reach isolated communities cut off by landslides and rockfalls.
Adding to the crisis, pre-existing challenges such as funding cuts are severely limiting the capacity of humanitarian organizations to respond effectively. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) reports a dramatic reduction in staff and emergency supplies compared to 2023, the year of the last major quake.
“We have only $100,000 available to support emergency response efforts,” said Maisam Shafiey, the NRC’s communications and advocacy advisor in Afghanistan. “This leaves an immediate funding gap of $1.9 million.”
Humanitarian organizations are calling the situation a “crisis within a crisis,” highlighting Afghanistan’s existing vulnerabilities, including the impacts of climate change, a struggling economy, and the recent return of millions of Afghan refugees. The international community is urged to provide immediate and substantial assistance to help Afghanistan cope with this latest disaster.
First Piper 