A powerful magnitude‑6.0 earthquake struck near Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan, leaving hundreds dead, thousands injured, and entire villages reduced to rubble. Remote, mountainous terrain and damaged infrastructure have significantly hindered rescue and relief operations.

Amid the unfolding humanitarian crisis, Daniel P. Aldrich, director of the Resilience Studies Program at Northeastern University, highlights a sobering reality: “Domestic governance structure and international aid are very critical … and both are at a low point in Afghanistan at the moment.” His observation points to how the combination of weak internal systems and a sharp decline in external assistance is severely undermining the country’s ability to respond effectively during this critical window for disaster relief.

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