Analysis-Taliban's isolation makes Afghan earthquake response harder

Volunteers from the Al-Khidmat Foundation load sacks of flour on a truck for the people affected by the earthquake in Afghanistan, in Peshawar, Pakistan June 23, 2022. REUTERS/Fayaz Aziz

KABUL (Reuters) - A devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, which killed at least 1,000 people and flattened homes in remote villages close to the Pakistani border, poses the biggest challenge yet for the Taliban since they seized power nearly a year ago.

The hardline Islamist group is governing an impoverished country beset by severe drought, widespread hunger and economic crisis and where the effects of decades of conflict are still keenly felt.