The Taliban in Afghanistan are appealing for international help to address the aftermath of Saturday's powerful earthquakes, which reportedly killed more than 2,000 people. But observers point to concern over whether survivors will be able to access sufficient relief aid.

The Taliban say 2,053 people have died since two magnitude-6.3 tremors hit the western part of the country.

A Taliban member told a news conference in the capital, Kabul, on Sunday that a majority of people in the stricken area have been affected, including children, elders and women.

The member added that the Taliban want all international and internal organizations to provide support to save lives.

The Taliban pledged to conduct search-and-rescue operations for people trapped under collapsed buildings in stricken areas, including Herat province, where the quakes caused extensive damage. They also promised to provide relief supplies, such as tents, to survivors.

But observers say international aid for Afghanistan has been dwindling due to the Taliban's increasingly repressive measures against women.

Before the quakes, the United Nations estimated that more than two-thirds of Afghanistan's population was in need of humanitarian assistance due to food shortages and other reasons.