RAWALPINDI: The first consignment of relief goods, on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for flood-affected Afghan civilians reached the land-locked country through a special C -130 flight of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), The second consignment will be sent on May 9. The relief assistance comprising family tentage and rations landed in Mazar e Sharif. This was the first consignment of relief goods which flew from Noor Khan Air Base.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan Mr Mansoor was present at Noor Khan Base.Heavy rain and flooding have killed at least 160 people, destroyed hundreds of homes and damaged crops in Afghanistan, which is already facing a humanitarian crisis after the takeover of Taliban forces in August last year.The Taliban government, struggling to cope with the disaster that has affected more than a third of its provinces, will approach international relief organisations for help, officials said.
“Due to flooding and storms in 12 provinces, 22 people have died and 40 injured,” said Hassibullah Shekhani, head of communications and information at Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority.
The relief goods sent by Pakistan include 100 tents, two tons of flour, one ton of rice and 450kgs of sugar.
The second consignment of relief goods would be dispatched on Monday, May 9.
“Pakistan will make every possible effort for the assistance of flood-affected people of Afghanistan,” the PM said in his statement.
Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan said that Pakistan’s Charge d’Affairs Saifullah Khan delivered a consignment of relief items.
