Bringing 1,500 Tons Of Aid, Kindness Train Expedition Departs From Turkey To Afghanistan

JAKARTA - Three special 'Trains of Kindness' departed for Afghanistan from the Turkish capital, Ankara, carrying around 1,500 tons of aid.

"The 6th Kindness Train Expedition is on its way to Afghanistan", Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) announced on Twitter.

"After the first 5 expeditions consisting of 14 trains, the 6 Kindness Trains expedition, which was prepared with the support of 10 non-governmental organizations under the coordination of AFAD, delivered 1,500 tons of humanitarian aid materials to Afghanistan", continued.

Ten humanitarian groups from Turkey gathered to organize the effort, preceded by five similar initiatives to help people in the food-scarce country in need of emergency assistance.

"We aim to continue our assistance with the same determination in the coming period. In this context, we plan to distribute materials to be brought to Afghanistan via the sixth Kindness Train service to families in need in as many provinces as possible in September. Once again without discrimination, taking into account areas that need priority", said the Turkish Ambassador in Kabul Cihad Erginay recently, quoted by Daily Sabah and Anadolu on August 25.

In these areas, in addition to basic food packages containing products such as flour, oil, various nuts, sugar, salt, pasta, and tomato paste for each family, tents, blankets, carpets, diapers and tableware, clothes, shoes, and stationery are also available.

Also provided for those whose houses were damaged. Humanitarian aid materials are distributed in many items. The aid is planned to meet the needs of each family for several months.

In addition, the institution also contributes to the Afghan economy by purchasing aid other than materials from Turkey, through the 'Train of Goodness' from the Afghan market.

Previously, two trains with 47 carriages carrying 750 tons of aid departed from Ankara for Afghanistan in January. A month later, a second train carrying 45 carriages with 921 tons of aid arrived in Ukraine.

With over 900 tonnes of cargo, the third train reached the Afghan city of Herat on March 14, after leaving Ankara on February 25. On March 30, the fourth train departed from Ankara with 1,478 tonnes of aid and reached Afghanistan on April 18.

The fifth train departs for Afghanistan on July 4 and reaches it on July 16.

Separately, according to the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Coordination (OCHA), half of Afghanistan's population now faces acute hunger, children are out of school, and more than 9 million people are homeless.