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ISLAMABAD: Executive director of the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) David Beasley has thanked Pakistan for its assistance in repairing damaged planes returning from Kabul and establishing a “humanitarian air bridge” to the war-torn country.
The WFP chief shared a video on Twitter from the federal capital, where the food agency’s helicopters and planes were being repaired. “Our damaged planes from Kabul have been repaired, and the WFP is now ready to establish a humanitarian air bridge between Islamabad-Kabul and other destinations in Afghanistan,” Beasley wrote.
#NEWS: Our damaged planes from #Kabul have been repaired, and @WFP is now ready to establish a humanitarian air bridge between Islamabad-Kabul & other destinations in #Afghanistan. This will allow us to scale up to meet the needs of the Afghan people. Thank you, @GovtofPakistan. pic.twitter.com/3MBgzDv493
— David Beasley (@WFPChief) August 25, 2021
In the video, Beasley said the Pakistan government “really helped” the WFP with overhauling and repairing the planes damaged in Kabul so that they could be put back in service.
Pointing to a passenger plane, he said, “We are about to do a test flight from Islamabad to Kabul that will be an air bridge, which hopefully goes well.” He further said the WFP was helping to evacuate passengers, UN personnel, and other humanitarian workers from Afghanistan.
WFP chief calls on PM Imran
Executive Director WFP David M Beasley also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating the work of his organization in providing food assistance to the people in Afghanistan.
The Executive Director of the Rome-based United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Mr. David M. Beasley, called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI. pic.twitter.com/NV7RSRcoi9
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) August 26, 2021
The Rome-based WFP official also discussed the ways for the continued provision of humanitarian assistance to the people in Afghanistan.
The prime minister appreciated the role of WFP as the leading international humanitarian organization for delivering food assistance in emergencies and for working with nations worldwide to improve nutrition and build resilience.
On the evolving situation in Afghanistan, the prime minister reiterated that formation of an inclusive government and positive engagement of international community with Afghanistan, was the way forward to avert any humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.