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FM Muttaqi urges return of Afghan helicopters for humanitarian operations
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has urged countries in possession of Afghan-owned helicopters to return them for use in humanitarian and rescue missions.
Speaking at a meeting in Kabul with ambassadors and representatives of international organizations, Muttaqi highlighted the effectiveness of these helicopters—once used in military operations—in saving lives during recent earthquakes. He stressed that Afghanistan, being highly prone to natural disasters, is in urgent need of such equipment.
“Our message to these countries is that the helicopters which were taken four years ago and are still held there should be returned to the Afghan government for use in such rescue operations,” he said.
Muttaqi also called for the removal of international banking sanctions on Afghanistan, emphasizing that these restrictions have prevented Afghan nationals abroad from sending aid to those affected by the earthquakes.
“Unfortunately, due to the illegal and unjust sanctions imposed on Afghanistan, our citizens abroad were unable to send help to their earthquake-affected compatriots. It is regrettable and against all humanitarian principles to prevent assistance to natural disaster victims,” he said.
The Foreign Minister noted that the Islamic Emirate has responded effectively to the recent earthquakes and expressed gratitude to countries and international organizations for their continued humanitarian assistance.
Shahabuddin Delawar, president of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), met with Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, to discuss the country’s humanitarian situation and ways to expand assistance for vulnerable communities.
According to ARCS, the meeting focused on support for people affected by natural disasters, Afghan returnees and other vulnerable groups, particularly their urgent humanitarian and healthcare needs.
Delawar thanked the United Kingdom for its humanitarian assistance to people affected by natural disasters and briefed Lindsay on the ARCS’s humanitarian and healthcare activities.
He highlighted the society’s services for children with congenital heart defects at its cardiac hospital, vocational training and skills development programs for vulnerable women and children across seven regional zones, mental healthcare services, and assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
Delawar said decades of hardship had left many Afghans facing mental health challenges, while vulnerable families continued to struggle with difficult living conditions. He stressed the need for expanded humanitarian assistance and healthcare support.
Referring to the return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, Delawar said many families urgently need shelter, food, non-food items and medical services. He called for greater UK cooperation to help meet returnees’ basic needs.
Lindsay praised the ARCS’s humanitarian work and pledged continued cooperation in supporting returnees and other humanitarian initiatives in the coming year. He also said he would seek to facilitate effective cooperation with the society in the healthcare sector.
Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation to expand humanitarian assistance, support vulnerable communities and improve healthcare services in Afghanistan.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Yatin Patel, India’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Muttaqi emphasized that, in line with its balanced foreign policy, the Islamic Emirate attaches importance to relations with India.
Referring to the growing volume of trade between the two countries, he stressed the need to strengthen communication and cooperation between Afghanistan’s and India’s public and private sectors, adding that cooperation should be expanded to make better use of existing capacities.
Meanwhile, Yatin Patel said India seeks to expand its relations and engagement with Afghanistan in the economic, political and humanitarian fields.
Muttaqi also wished Patel success in his new assignment.
Mohammad Naeem, Deputy Minister for Finance and Administration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met on Wednesday with Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two sides discussed Afghanistan’s political, economic and security situation, regional stability, humanitarian assistance and consular services.
Naeem expressed appreciation for the UK’s humanitarian assistance and cooperation with Afghanistan and stressed the importance of continuing cooperation between the two sides.
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