China Sends First Batch of Earthquake Aid to Afghanistan

APP/WAM

Kabul: The first batch of emergency earthquake relief supplies from China arrived in Kabul on Monday to support victims of the devastating 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan last week.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), the shipment included tents, blankets, and other urgently needed items for quake-hit areas.

Bao Xuhui, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan, said the Chinese government had immediately decided to provide humanitarian supplies worth 50 million yuan (about US$7 million).

“The aid mainly consists of 350 tents and 3,000 blankets. It is hoped that these supplies will help the disaster-stricken people overcome their difficulties as soon as possible,” he added.

Chinese officials confirmed that additional batches of relief materials would be dispatched to Afghanistan in the coming days.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society reported that the earthquake, which struck on Sunday, has killed at least 2,205 people and left 3,640 others injured. Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing in the affected provinces.