Kabul. November 18. INTERFAX - The first batch of Russian humanitarian aid arrived at Kabul airport on Thursday, the Aamaj News news agency reported.
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov said in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper that the Russian military will deliver 36 tons of food, medicines and essential goods to the Afghan capital, he said.
"Special flights of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, which take out our citizens, deliver a large batch of gumgruzov formed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation to Afghanistan. These are food, medicines, essential goods. The first delivery with 36 tons will take place on November 18," Zhirnov said.
He clarified that "then there will be two more batches of military transport aircraft with gum cargo."
"In total, they (special boats - IF) will bring over 100 tons of humanitarian aid. The Taliban (the Taliban movement is recognized as a terrorist in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation and is prohibited in Russia - IF) guaranteed that it would be distributed among those in need," the ambassador stressed.
According to Zhirnov, "this is important," since the current "Afghan authorities understand that if a "misfire" occurs, it will seriously complicate their further work with foreign donors."
In addition, the ambassador announced his readiness "to take out all Afghans enrolled in our universities who express such a desire." "Almost 900 students have signed up for special flights. The Taliban are in favor of continuing educational programs in Russia for Afghan citizens," he said in an interview with the publication.
Earlier, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, said that Afghanistan is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe that can be prevented.
"The economy is paralyzed, the banking system is not working, the volume of GDP has decreased by 40 percent, there are not enough medicines in hospitals, people do not get paid, there are no basic necessities in stores, there is not enough food, fuel prices are rising - the list of troubles is endless," the UN representative noted.
According to her, the UN has provided assistance to 10.3 million people this year alone, but this is not enough - it is necessary to support doctors and teachers, food workers and employees left without means of livelihood. She recalled that the UN provides salaries to doctors and other medical staff, calling for expanding this program and including other Afghans in it.
