ISLAMABAD. The first consignment of relief goods from Pakistan for flood victims in Afghanistan was delivered on Saturday by a Pakistan Air Force special aircraft, as the neighbouring country reels from heavy rain and floods that have killed at least 22 people.

The disaster has added to the country’s misery that is already facing a humanitarian crisis. Due to flooding and storms in 12 provinces, 22 people have died and 40 injured, according to Hassibullah Shekhani, head of communications and information at Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority.

The rain and flooding were particularly severe in the western provinces of Badghis and Faryab and the northern province of Baghlan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had expressed his grief over the incident in a tweet on May 5.

“I urge the international community to help the already suffering Afghan people on an emergency basis. Pakistan will also extend its assistance to our Afghan brothers & sisters,” he said.

The relief goods, which were sent on Saturday, included 100 tents, two tons of flour, one ton of rice, and 450kgs of sugar, according to an official handout. It was sent via special C-130 aircraft and landed at the Mazar-i-Sharif airport.

“The second batch of relief goods will depart for Afghanistan on May 9, 2022. PM Shehbaz reiterated that Pakistan would do its utmost to help the flood victims in Afghanistan,” it read.

In a tweet, PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan would continue to stand by Afghan brothers and sisters through “thick & thin”. He urged the international community to help the Afghan people in the “hour of need”.

The Inter-Services Public Relations in a statement said it was the “first sortie” which flew from the Noor Khan airbase. Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmed Khan was present at the base.

The relief assistance will be handed to Afghan disaster relief organisations in Mazar Sharif by Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, the envoy said in a series of tweets.