Israel Sends Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan

(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
June 4, 1998

A plane carrying Israeli humanitarian aid for victims of last Saturday's earthquake in northern Afghanistan is expected to leave Israel on Sunday morning, June 7, 1998.

Following instructions from Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Foreign Ministry began making contact with the appropriate Afghan authorities and preparing the equipment and logistics to send it. After the Afghans agreed to accept the aid, Israeli authorities and public organizations organized 15 tons of urgently needed material, including tents, blankets, food and medicine.

The aid will be flown to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where it will be delivered to international aid agencies which will bring it to the stricken area. Accompanying the aid to Dushanbe will be an Israeli delegation headed by MK Reuven Rivlin and including Foreign Ministry officials.