by Akylbek Kamaldinov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Canada
Humanitarian aid is a generally accepted international practice to provide mutual support to members of the world community. Today, in terms of the global Covid-19 pandemic, many countries are providing various types of assistance aiming to increase their capabilities to tackle the challenge of the modern world. And Kazakhstan is also an active participant with this.
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in an effort to provide an economic support to his neighbours amid the fight against the pandemic, have taken a decision to provide humanitarian assistance to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan sending them supplies of Kazakhstan’s flour in the amount of five thousand tons worth more than USD $3 million to each country.
The decision was made in connection with the official appeals of the Kyrgyz and Tajik sides in order to ensure uninterrupted food supply to the population.
In a telephone conversation with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon expressed his gratitude for supporting the Tajik people during these challenging times and providing humanitarian assistance. He also expressed his gratitude for the assistance in the evacuation of Tajik citizens to their homeland and in the transit of goods through the territory of Kazakhstan.
The telephone conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Mukhtar Tileuberdi and Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Chingiz Aidarbekov, the Kyrgyz side expressed sincere gratitude to Kazakhstan for the decision to provide humanitarian assistance.
At the earliest possible time these goods will arrive at their destination in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Kazakhstan, as a responsible member of the international community, in terms of the global coronavirus pandemic is not keeping away and continues providing the necessary humanitarian aid to partner countries. So, back in February of this year, Kazakhstan was one of the first to provide partnership support to China amid the Covid-19 epidemic, carrying out several deliveries of medical protective equipment.
Overall, the provision of humanitarian aid is one of the important areas of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. The past years have seen Kazakhstan sent various types of assistance to Antigua and Barbuda, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Serbia, Syria, Turkey, Japan, and other countries.
PICTURED ABOVE: Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the “Continental Logistics LLP” transport and logistics centre, and inspected the warehouse where more than six thousand tons of food products are stored.