EU delivers 150 tonnes of life-saving medicines to Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): this week a total of 5 EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights would deliver 150 metric tonnes of life-saving medical cargo to Afghans affected by the dire humanitarian situation in the country, according to a statement on Friday.

In addition, the EU co-funded via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism a repatriation flight operated by France to assist more than 300 people to leave Afghanistan last weekend, including French, Dutch and Afghan citizens.

Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, said: “In Afghanistan, medical supplies are needed on a large scale to avert a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.

Our EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights deliver most urgently needed medical supplies to the Afghan people this week. These cargo operations work hand in hand with EU repatriation flights under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. I thank our humanitarian partners and France for our close cooperation in addressing this humanitarian emergency together.”

The cargo consists of medical equipment provided by Action Against Hunger, Care International, Emergency, the German Red Cross, Medair, Premiere Urgence, Save the Children, UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

It comes on top of earlier EU-funded flights this year that delivered over 130 metric tonnes of life-saving surgical equipment and medical supplies.

EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection operations are closely interlinked in providing vital assistance to Europeans and people who find themselves in crises worldwide.

Pr/nh