BY: Michelle Liew

A total of five tonnes of basic necessities including children’s milk powder, winter clothes will be flown to Kabul, Afghanistan today on Malaysia’s humanitarian aid mission to Afghanistan.

According to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, the humanitarian mission involved the cooperation of Golden Horses Digital Investment Bank, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the Global Peace Mission (GPM)

and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA).

“For this mission, five tonnes of essential items, namely children’s milk powder, winter clothes and other necessities worth more than RM1 million will be donated to the people and children in need, and it is a collaboration of three organizations.

“The donations will be distributed by GPM in Kabul to local NGOs in Afghanistan, namely Ehsas Welfare & Social Service Organization (EWSSO), Humanitarian Assistance Society (HAS), Afghan Welfare Society (AWS) and Just for Afghan Capacity and Knowledge (JACK).

“The donations will be distributed by GPM in Kabul to local NGOs in Afghanistan, namely Ehsas Welfare & Social Service Organization (EWSSO), Humanitarian Assistance Society (HAS), Afghan Welfare Society (AWS) and Just for Afghan Capacity and Knowledge (JACK).

“I would like to emphasize that this is humanitarian aid from Malaysians to Afghans, the government is only facilitating this aid to reach those in need,” he explained in a press conference before releasing the humanitarian mission at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang on Tuesday.

He explained that 12 delegations will depart today, including NGOs and two Astro AWANI crews who will provide coverage throughout the humanitarian mission.

The special flight carrying the humanitarian mission will pass through Hyderabad, India and Islamabad, Pakistan before being scheduled to arrive in Kabul, Afghanistan on February 23.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin further commented that this humanitarian mission is not to recognize the government in Afghanistan, but only to ensure that the people in the country are helped.

“This mission has nothing to do with the recognition of the government in Kabul, we have not yet recognized the government in Kabul.

“We are monitoring its development closely, there are parameters set by the UN, the OIC and also the Malaysian Government before we recognize the Afghan government.

“But while the government has not been recognized, its people are suffering and need help, that is what we are doing today,” he added.