Russia Donates 31 Trucks To Deliver Food To Afghans In Need
Kabul – The World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan took delivery today of 31 heavy duty trucks, donated by the Government of the Russian Federation, to replace ageing vehicles and boost WFP’s capacity to deliver food to some of the most far-flung areas of the country.
The Kamaz cargo trucks will help WFP deliver food across the country, with each vehicle able to hold up to 12 metric tons. Along with a mobile fuel tanker, also delivered today, they are collectively valued at US$2.5 million.
“Without doubt these trucks will enhance the capacity of our own fleet and will enable us to deliver food commodities to the most vulnerable people in the most remote areas of Afghanistan - in a more efficient and timely manner,” said Claude Jibidar, Country Director for WFP Afghanistan.
This donation brings the size of the WFP-owned fleet in Afghanistan to 107 vehicles. However, much of WFP’s current truck fleet is more than 20 years old and has covered thousands of kilometres – often on poor roads, so the gift will be used to replace aging vehicles. Kamaz trucks, known for their durability and designed for use in cold countries, are well-suited to the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. Most of these trucks will be used to deliver food to the mountainous areas of northern Badakhshan province as well as Bamyan and Daikundi provinces in the central highlands.
“The donation once again testifies the fact that the Russian Federation is committed to provide continued support to the Afghan people,” said H.E Alexander Mantytskiy, Ambassador of Russia to Afghanistan, in Kabul today. “Humanitarian aid is among the top priorities of Russia’s Afghan policy.”
The trucks are part of a larger contribution of 218 Kamaz vehicles from the Russian Federation which were donated to WFP to augment its global fleet.
Today’s donation also follows on from a gift of 41 Kamaz trucks provided to WFP in Afghanistan by the Russian Federation in 2012. WFP Afghanistan will receive another 26 Kamaz trucks from Russia in the near future.
For more information on the WFP’s work in Afghanistan, visit www.wfp.org/afghanistan.
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About WFP
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 75 countries.
WFP has been working in Afghanistan since 1963 with the aim of helping Afghans build a hunger-free future for themselves and their country. WFP food is distributed on the basis of need, without regard for ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
WFP Afghanistan operates a feedback hotline number and welcomes comments, complaints and feedback regarding the distribution of WFP food assistance. Please call: 0790-555-544
Contact information:
Keiko Izushi, WFP/Kabul, +93(0)706-004-885, Keiko.izushi@wfp.org
Wahidullah Amani, WFP/Kabul, +93(0)706-004-884, wahidullah.amani@wfp.org
Fezeh Hosseini, WFP/Kabul, +93(0)706-004-847, fezeh.hosseini@wfp.org