E.U. Humanitarian Air Bridge has deliverd 25 metric tonnes of medical cargo to Afghanistan
The European Union (E.U.) Humanitarian Air Bridge today, i.e., October 2, 2021, delivered over 25 metric tonnes of life-saving medical cargo to Afghanistan to address the dire humanitarian situation in the country.
The E.U. Humanitarian Air Bridge is an ad-hoc initiative operated on a needs-based approach. Its implementation brings together a number of actors, the European Commission and E.U. Member States in a Team Europe coordination, national authorities of the destination countries, and humanitarian and civil society organisations. The E.U. Humanitarian Air Bridge flight operations are intended to help reinforce humanitarian or emergency responses in countries facing fragile contexts. These flights help fill in critical gaps by facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, emergency assistance and the transport of humanitarian staff when required.
Ever since Taliban seized power on August 15, 2021, and the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani fled away, the country has been in severe crisis. The recent drought has only added to the woes.
More than 18 million people in desperate need of humanitarian aid. The situation got worsen after United States (U.S.) troops left Afghanistan on August 31, 2021. The E.U. is trying hard to deliver vital health and nutrition assistance despite the current transport and logistic constraints in the country.
Taking it to twitter, the President of European Commission – Ursula von der Leyen tweeted,
A 2nd EU Humanitarian Air Bridge arrived in Kabul this morning.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 2, 2021
The EU has now delivered nearly 60 tonnes of emergency assistance to the Afghan people this week.
We will continue to mobilise humanitarian aid.
We stand by the Afghan people. https://t.co/yJZ06lOnhd
The European Commissioner for Crisis Management and In-Charge of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid – Janez Lenarcic tweeted,
Another 🇪🇺 Humanitarian Air Bridge flight this week arrived to deliver over 25 tonnes of life-saving medical cargo to Kabul today.
— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) October 2, 2021
In close partnership with @UNICEF, @SaveChildrenEU and @WHO the EU continues to address the dire humanitarian situation in #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/XFlh9WUwlm
The life-saving cargo consists of medical equipment, including COVID-19 and trauma care kits, provided by UNICEF, Save the Children and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This is the second E.U.-funded air bridge flight landing in Kabul this week. The first flight arrived on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, delivering over 32 metric tonnes of surgical equipment and medical supplies that are critical in ensuring the continued provision of primary and life-saving medical assistance in Afghanistan.
The E.U. humanitarian aid focuses on health care, nutritional support, cash and protection assistance, including areas not reached by Government structures. In 2021, the E.U. has committed to make available over € 300 million in humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people in need, in the country and the broader region.
Besides, the E.U. has funded humanitarian operations in Afghanistan since 1994, providing over € 1 billion in humanitarian aid. Funds are allocated strictly based on the humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality, neutrality and humanity to ensure access to those in need.
