Standing tall on its commitment to deliver all possible assistance to Afghanistan in the wake of the devastating earthquake there, India has dispatched 27 tons of Emergency relief material to the people there.
In a statement released, the Ministry of External Affairs said, the relief assistance comprising essential items including family ridge tents, sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mats, etc, have reached Kabul, Afghanistan, and will thereby be handed over to the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS).
“As always, India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, with whom we share centuries old ties, and remains firmly committed to provide immediate relief assistance for the Afghan people,” the statement further added.
The devastating earthquake of 6.1 in magnitude has further shook the war-torn country to its core, with continuous reports coming in of serious damage. The war-torn nation already in the midst of an economic crisis, also teetering on the brink of famine, has now been caught in a more vulnerable position, with survivors now being left without food, water and shelter.
The Wednesday’s deadliest quake that struck the rugged eastern provinces of Afghanistan has led to mass destruction. According to the UN news, four districts in Patika province – Gayan, Barmala, Naka and Ziruk – as well as Spera district in Khost province, have been affected.
Reportedly, more than 1,000 people have been killed. However,the death toll are expected to rise further. Also, according to reports, nearly 10,000 homes were destroyed and scores of people displaced.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his deepest condolences on the loss of lives in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan.
“Deeply saddened at the news of the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan today. My deepest condolences on loss of precious lives. India stands by the people of Afghanistan in their difficult times and is ready to provide all possible disaster relief material at the earliest,” PM Modi said.
India deploys a technical team to Embassy in Kabul
In line with longstanding links with Afghanistan, and development partnership including humanitarian assistance for the people of Afghanistan, India earlier on Thursday deployed a technical team to Embassy in Kabul.
“In order to closely monitor and coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders for the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and in continuation of our engagement with the Afghan people, an Indian technical team has reached Kabul today and has been deployed in our Embassy there,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Ever since the Taliban took over the reins of the country in August 2021, this is the first time that India had opened its embassy in Kabul.
Recently, another Indian team also visited Kabul to oversee the delivery operations of India’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. During the visit, the Indian side had also met with senior members of the Taliban and also assessed the security situation there.
