Iran Sends over 30 Humanitarian Aid Shipments to Afghanistan

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Majid Takht Ravanchi called on the international community to help Afghans overcome their challenges, and said that the Islamic Republic has dispatched a lot of humanitarian aid cargoes to the Afghan people.

 Takht Ravanchi made the remarks at a virtual UN donor conference co-hosted by Britain, Germany, and Qatar.

“The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, and the country is currently facing great challenges, opportunities, fears and hopes. The international community is expected in the current difficult situation to contribute to helping Afghan people overcome challenges, seize opportunities, dispel fears and boost hopes for a brighter future,” the Iranian ambassador said.

Takht-Ravanchi added that the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a neighboring country, stands by the people of Afghanistan and has used its capacities and facilities to overcome the challenges it has faced over the last four decades.

“Iran has hosted millions of refugees, who have unfortunately received the least international aid in the last 40 years. Iran has dispatched more than 30 shipments of humanitarian aid to Afghan people in recent months. This is just one example of the assistance that Iran has provided to the people of Afghanistan,” the senior Iranian diplomat pointed out.

“The financial support of the international community is vital to help Afghanistan surmount the current difficult situation,” he added.

Takht Ravanchi also denounced as illegal the seizure of Afghanistan's frozen assets, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

"Hopes for future must be guaranteed among the people of Afghanistan, especially among the younger generation who will lead the country in the future. This will not be possible unless an inclusive government is formed and sufficient attention is paid to the political and social fabrics of Afghanistan, which can involve people from all walks of life, including various ethnicities, men, women and youth,” he further said.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has frozen nearly $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank since the withdrawal of its occupation forces.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have also suspended activities in Afghanistan, withholding aid, as well as $340 million in new reserves issued by the IMF.