International aid continues to come into Afghanistan to help people affected in the recent devastating earthquake in the southeast provinces of the country. The UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced a total of £2.5 million assistance to provide lifesaving supplies to the vulnerable.
According to a statement of the of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, a total of £2 million will go to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to provide shelter, medication, water, sanitation, and other basic needs.
Another £500,000 will go to the Norwegian Refugee Council to provide shelter and cash assistance to the people affected by the earthquake, said the statement.
“The recent earthquake is a tragedy for the people of Afghanistan. The scale of need was already severe before the earthquake struck, with more than half of the population requiring humanitarian assistance,” Liz Truss said.
A Pakistani C-130 loaded with relief aid arrived in Khost province to provide assistance to the vulnerable. One aircraft from Uzbekistan and another from Turkmenistan loaded with humanitarian aid arrived in Kabul on Saturday.
“Today, we have brought a part of the humanitarian aid. Today in this aircraft (are) 20 tons flour, 11 tons of oil, medicines and clothes and shoes,” said Ismatilla R. Igrashev, the special representative of the Uzbekistan President for Afghanistan.
“Today an aircraft of humanitarian aid of Turkmenistan arrived in Kabul for the people of Afghanistan. It is approximately 20 tons. The aid includes clothes and food materials,” said the Turkmenistan ambassador to Afghanistan.
“After the political changes in the country, Uzbekistan has always stood by the people of Afghanistan,” said Khairullah Khairkhwa, acting Minister of Information and Culture.
The Afghanistan Red Cross also said it will provide aid to at least 1,000 families in Paktika and Khost province. “We provide emergency supplies to the people who are in need,” said Ilyas, an official of the Red Cross in Afghanistan.
“We need any type of aid. We are facing a lot of challenges,” said Dawlat Khan, a resident of Paktika.—Tolo news
