The Goodness Train, which was organized with various NGOs in Turkey under the coordination of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), reached Afghanistan.
The train carrying 27 tons of humanitarian aid, which departed from Ankara on January 750, entered Afghanistan through the Turgundi Border Gate on the Turkmenistan border.
The ceremony held at the Turgundi Border Gate was attended by Turkey's Ambassador to Kabul Jihad Erginay, AFAD, Turkish Red Crescent, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) officials, Herat Governor of the Taliban administration Mevlana Nur Ahmed Islamcar, Herat Mayor Hayatullah Muhacir and Afghan Red Crescent officials.
Speaking at the ceremony, Turkey's Ambassador to Kabul Cihad Erginay noted that the aid will be delivered to various institutions in the country, such as the Ministry of Health and Afghan Red Crescent, as well as families in need, and said, “As a result of this aid, we aim to provide aid to approximately 750 thousand families with 30 tons. And it will be distributed to 30 thousand families in every corner of Afghanistan and 34 provinces. In other words, we will reach 34 provinces with this help. We will reach every corner and every color of Afghanistan. We are also very happy about that.” said.
Stating that the conflict environment Afghanistan is facing and various crises such as the Kovid-19 epidemic, this country needs humanitarian aid, Erginay said, “We call on the entire international community to provide this humanitarian aid. Because Afghanistan, the Afghan people need this at this stage. Turkey did not remain unresponsive to this need. He is doing what he can, together with all its segments, and will continue to do so.” said.
Noting that a second Goodness Train will arrive in Afghanistan at the end of February, Erginay said, “This is not the first aid of Turkey to Afghanistan, to the Afghan people of the Turkish people. Nor will it be of last aid.” he said.
An Inseparable Bond Between Two Peoples
Maulana Nur Ahmed Islamcar, the Governor of Herat of the Taliban administration, stated that there is a centuries-old historical, cultural and religious bond between Afghanistan and Turkey and defined this bond as "inseparable".
Islamcar noted that Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, who was born in today's Belh province of Afghanistan, and Mahmud of Ghazni, who ruled Afghanistan for a while, are the strongest symbols of the bond between the two communities.
Demanding that Turkey, as a strong country in the political arena, should also support Afghanistan in the international arena, İslamcar said:
“We would like to thank the friendly country Turkey and the friendly people of Turkey under the leadership of President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as the aid organizations of Turkey such as the Turkish Red Crescent and AFAD, who extended a helping hand to us by sending the Goodness Train from Ankara to Turgundi as a token of friendship.”
Turkish Authorities Achieved a Challenging Job
The officials of Turkish institutions, who took action after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's order for the Goodness Train, made great efforts to coordinate the train.
Organization officials said that they stayed up late some days in order to successfully complete this challenging task.
Burhan Aslan, head of AFAD International Humanitarian Aid Group, said that he and his team worked very hard for each of the plan stages such as collecting the aid materials, loading them on the train, completing the official procedures, transporting the aid to Afghanistan and delivering the aid to the right people in 34 provinces. He said they were happy.
Noting that they have successfully completed such a difficult task, Aslan said, "We will continue to be with our Afghan people, who are close to 18 million, with their food, clothing, blankets, hygiene and health supplies." said.
Giving the good news that aid to the Afghan people will continue under the coordination of AFAD, Aslan noted that the preparations continue for the new Goodness Train, which carries around 1000 tons of aid materials, to be delivered to the country at the end of February.
Aid materials will be packaged and made ready for distribution in Herat, and will be distributed to families in need in 34 provinces of the country in cooperation with Turkey's Embassy in Kabul, AFAD, Turkish Red Crescent and Afghan Red Crescent.
It has a wide variety of aid materials, such as food, winter clothing, medical supplies, wheelchairs, toys, and health supplies.
The Goodness Train departing from Turkey used the route of Iran and Turkmenistan.
The Goodness Train, which passed through the lands of Turkey, Iran and Turkmenistan and reached Afghanistan, traveled 4.168 kilometers.
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