Nepal transfers humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Humanitarian relief materials provided by the Government of Nepal to the people of Afghanistan on behalf of the Nepalese people have been handed over. The materials were handed over to Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations by Seva Lamsal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal at a function organized at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan yesterday at the International Airport in Kabul.

Joint Secretary Lamsal, who was also the spokesperson of the ministry at the event, said that he was happy to be able to assist the people of SAARC member countries and Nepal, which has good relations. He also thanked the private sector of Nepal for providing assistance materials, noting that the ministry had prepared for this task on the initiative of Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan Khadka.

Likewise, Deputy Special Representative Dr. Alakbarov thanked Nepal for its assistance and assured that the available humanitarian aid would be distributed in a transparent manner to the needy Afghan people. On the initiative of Foreign Minister Dr. Khadka, the Government of Nepal sent 9,715 kg of humanitarian aid including medicine, clothes, and household items to Afghanistan by chartered plane yesterday. Due to the recent economic hardships and severe winters in Afghanistan, the people there need humanitarian assistance and support from the international community.

On behalf of Nepal, the materials have been provided by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Honorary Consulate General of Nepal, Agrawal Service Center, Himalayan Airlines, and other private sector organizations. Himalayan Airlines has flown its free cargo to Kabul as part of its corporate social responsibility to deliver humanitarian aid.

A 15-member team comprising officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of various organizations, media persons, and honorary consuls had gone to Afghanistan to hand over the supplies. Speaking at a press conference held at the Tribhuvan International Airport this morning, Minister Khadka said that it was the moral responsibility of the Government of Nepal to extend a helping hand on behalf of the Nepali people to the humanitarian crisis facing the allied country of Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Dr. Narayan Khadka said that as a member of SAARC, it was its moral responsibility to send aid to Afghanistan.

This is the first time in the history of Nepal that humanitarian aid has been sent to other nations by air. Minister Khadka said that this work has sent a message that Nepal will not only seek assistance but also help other nations when needed. Expressing confidence that this work would enhance the image of Nepal in the international arena, he thanked Himalayan Airlines for its support through completely free cargo flights. Minister Khadka himself arrived at the airport in the morning to bid farewell and welcome the team, emphasizing the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.