First batch of Saudi humanitarian aid delivered to Afghanistan

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has delivered its shipment of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, the state media reported on Thursday.

The Saudi airlift organised by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center consisted of six planes with 197 tons and 238 kilograms (524.7 pounds) of foodstuffs and shelter.

Two of them have already arrived in Afghanistan, Sputnik reported.

The aid was received by the deputy president of Afghanistan’s Red Crescent in the presence of the Saudi consul.

The Taliban took over control of Kabul on August 15 and following this the country has been battered by deepening economic, humanitarian and security crises.

A combination of a suspension of foreign aid, the freezing of Afghan government assets, and international sanctions on the Taliban have plunged the country already suffering from high poverty levels into a full-blown economic crisis.

The international community, from governments to non-governmental organizations, has been providing various assistance to the Afghan people.