June 4, 1998, A plane carrying Israeli humanitarian aid for victims of last Saturday's earthquake in northern Afghanistan is expected to leave Israel on Sunday morning, June 7, 1998.

Following instructions from Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Foreign Ministry began making contact with the appropriate Afghan authorities and preparing the equipment and logistics to send it. After the Afghans agreed to accept the aid, Israeli authorities and public organizations organized 15 tons of urgently needed material, including tents, blankets, food and medicine.

The aid will be flown to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where it will be delivered to international aid agencies which will bring it to the stricken area.

Accompanying the aid to Dushanbe will be an Israeli delegation headed by MK Reuven Rivlin and including Foreign Ministry officials.

Israeli Aid to Afghanistan Arrives in Tajikistan
June 8, 1998

MK Reuven Rivlin and Foreign Ministry MASHAV officials on arrival at Tbilisi airport (Georgia) with humanitarian aid for victims of earthquake in Northern Afghanistan (June 8, 1998).

MK Reuven Rivlin with U.N. and Foreign Ministry MASHAV officials near the Israeli plane at Dushanbe, Tajikistan (June 8, 1998).

Red Cross workers unloading Israeli aid at Dushanbe airport, Tajikistan. On the right: MK Reuven Rivlin and Haim Divon of the Israel Foreign Ministry (June 8, 1998).

The Israeli delegation near the U.N. helicopter being loaded with Israeli aid for victims of earthquake in northern Afghanistan – Dushanbe airport, Tajikistan (June 8, 1998).