Kathmandu, Jan 16: The Government of Nepal has sent over 14 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan today.    

A team led by Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sewa Lamsal flew to Kabul, Afghanistan in a chartered flight of Himalayan Airlines today morning for the same.    

At a press meet at the Tribhuvan International Airport before the chartered flight, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka shared that the in-kind humanitarian assistance included medicine, clothes and utensils among others as per the list provided by the United Nations.    

According to Minister Khadka, the in-kind assistance weighed over 14 tonnes except for food items. It is for the first time in the modern history of Nepal that the government provided humanitarian assistance to foreign countries in its own effort.    

Minister Khadka viewed that the act had sent across the message that Nepal could provide humanitarian assistance to other countries in the event of disasters.    

"We take assistance from various countries and agencies during big natural disasters. However, this act of providing support will send a message that Nepal not only always takes assistance, it also doesn't lag behind to provide support to other countries when needed. This will help lift up Nepal's image high in the international arena," he said.    

Minister Khadka said all the materials were provided free of cost by the entrepreneurs without incurring any liability to the government. He said the Himalayan Airlines supported this by providing the free chartered flight to transport the materials to Afghanistan.    

Minister for Foreign Affairs Khadka said it was the common problem of the South Asian nations and the required humanitarian assistance was being provided in keeping with this responsibility.    

The aid was made available by the United Nations, the Consular General based in Kathmandu, Nepali industrialists and business persons, the Himalayan Airlines, Nepal Oil Corporation, among the donors.    

The team comprising the Joint Secretary Lamsal is scheduled to return home today itself after handing over the humanitarian support to the UN Representative based in Kabul.