The Turkish Red Crescent is sending aid to Afghanistan to provide food to internally displaced people in need amid turmoil following the Taliban’s takeover, the organisation’s head has said.
Half a million people have been displaced in Afghanistan in recent months, according to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, a number which would grow if health services, schools and the economy break down.
Turkish Red Crescent President Kerem Kinik said the shipment of food will be sent on Saturday from Pakistan to Kabul and will provide for 16,000 people for a month. “There is a serious food crisis right now. Public order needs to be provided for local production,” he told Reuters by telephone, citing a halt in international trade, drought and a decline in international aid as reasons for the problem.
He said the Turkish Red Crescent had provided support to areas under Taliban control before US troops pulled out and there had been no problem in providing aid after the withdrawal.
“The Taliban appointed an authority to the head of the Afghan Red Crescent for the transition process,” he said, adding that they were cooperating to bring humanitarian aid to Afghans.
The Turkish Red Crescent had provided some $250,000 since 2018 to Afghans who established their own businesses after returning to the country and would increase the amount, he said.
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