New Delhi: In response to appeals made by the United Nations for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, India has decided to gift 50,000 MT of wheat to the people of Afghanistan. The supply will be affected by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and transported from ICP Attari in Amritsar to Jalalabad in Afghanistan by Afghan transporters.
In a ceremony held at Amritsar on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla along with Afghan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay and World Food Program Country Director. Bishaw Parajuli flagged off the first convoy of 50 trucks carrying 2500 MT of wheat assistance from India to Afghanistan via Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs said here.
The shipment is part of the commitment made by India to supply 50,000 MT of wheat for the people of Afghanistan. The wheat assistance will be delivered in multiple consignments and will be handed over to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. In this regard, India signed an agreement with the WFP for the distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat within Afghanistan.
FCI will deliver 50,000 of Wheat of RMS (Rabi Market Season) 2020-21 in 50 kg jute bags. The sacks are double bagged for the preservation of the consignment from moisture and any infection.
The shelf life of the wheat is a minimum of one year from the date of dispatch and necessary information would be clearly mentioned on the bag.
Fumigation of the consignment has been undertaken before handing it over for transportation in order to cater to the long passage time. Guidelines for necessary precautions to preserve the consignment during passage would be given to the Afghan transport agency.
India remains committed to its special relationship with the people of Afghanistan. In this endeavor, India has already supplied 500,000 doses of COVAXIN, 13 tons of essential lifesaving medicines, and 500 units of winter clothing. These consignments were handed over to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Indira Gandhi Hospital, Kabul.