21st 'Train of Kindness' carrying aid supplies to Afghanistan departs from Ankara

The Republic of Türkiye State Railways (TCDD) Transportation Inc. and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), in coordination with contributions from various non-governmental organizations, have organized the 21st 'Train of Kindness,' which contains 730 tons of aid supplies and has departed from Ankara Station for Afghanistan with a ceremony.

It will take approximately 3 weeks for the train of kindness to reach Afghanistan. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Interior Münir Karaloğlu stated that Türkiye has always stood by Afghanistan and said the following:

“As the Republic of Türkiye, we have endeavored to do our best for Afghanistan to this day. This is our 21st train. With this train, approximately 9,500 tons of aid supplies will have reached them so far. From now on, our state and our non-governmental organizations will continue to provide support and aid together to Afghanistan and its people, who form an important part of our geography.”

Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Durmuş Ünüvar stated, “The train of kindness is one of the finest examples of our nation's tradition of benevolence and sharing, guided by the hadith, ‘He is not one of us who goes to bed full while his neighbor is hungry.’ The aid we will deliver with this train is not limited to food, medicine, and basic necessities. It also carries the common conscience of humanity, our brotherhood, and our understanding of solidarity.”

Speaking at the ceremony, AFAD President Okay Memiş said, “On the train, we are sending off a total of 730 tons of humanitarian aid, including 4,000 tents provided by AFAD, 43,000 blankets provided by philanthropists, 5,000 family and kitchen sets, and 10,000 food parcels. According to United Nations figures, the Republic of Türkiye is the country that provides the most humanitarian aid in the world in proportion to its national income, with 7.3 billion dollars in humanitarian aid in 2023.”

Following the speeches, the ceremony continued with a collective prayer and concluded with the departure of the train of kindness.

News Source: İHA