Kazakhstan, 12th Oct 2023, King NewsWire – Following a directive from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations has provided humanitarian aid to assist earthquake-hit Afghanistan. The relief package includes essential items, such as food, medications, tents, clothing, and bedding.
The aid shipment designated for the affected region comprises 13 distinct items, weighing in at a combined 1,659 tons. Notably, medicines and tents are being transported aboard a National Guard aircraft.
The relief operation’s air crew, composed of eight members, is captained by Major Kurmangali Topanov, a seasoned pilot. Alongside him, other National Guard servicemen are dedicatedly participating in this vital humanitarian endeavour.
“Undertaking a peacekeeping mission, our crew is dedicated to delivering crucial aid to those impacted by the earthquake. We’ve dispatched medical supplies and equipment from Astana and Shymkent, and sourced tents from Almaty,” commented Major Kurmangali Topanov.
He further added, “Our team is well-acquainted with international relief missions. Earlier this year, in February, our National Guard aircrafts were tasked with delivering humanitarian supplies to Syria and Turkey, encompassing a total of six flights. Our present journey to Herat is expected to last approximately three hours, spanning a distance of 1,300 kilometers.”
A devastating earthquake struck Afghanistan on October 7. The death toll has exceeded 2,400 people. In response, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev promptly directed the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the affected nation.
A team of 45, comprising members from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations, along with canine specialists and their three dogs, embarked from Almaty on October 10. Their mission: to aid in extracting individuals trapped under the debris. The team’s primary operations are centered in the Naibrofi region, situated 25-30 km away from Herat city.
This specific region is of particular concern, having been flagged by authorities as the most critical. A significant number of individuals are still unaccounted for in this area.
Commending the rapid response and unwavering commitment of the rescuers, who’ve pledged to operate non-stop, the Herat officials expressed profound gratitude to Kazakhstan.
Media Contact
Organization: Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Contact Person: support Team
Website: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/emer?lang=en
Email: mchs@emer.kz
Country: Kazakhstan
Release Id: 1210237009