RIYADH — Two relief planes, representing the first batch of the Saudi aid airlift to support the Afghan people, dispatched by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), left Arabia Thursday carrying 1,647 food baskets and 192 shelter bags weighing more than 65 tons.

In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah said this aid is in implementation of directives by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to stand with the brotherly people of Afghanistan.

This assistance represents an extension of concern of the Saudi government to humanitarian work and supporting the needy across the globe, he said, noting that the Saudi aid program includes dispatching six relief planes with food and shelter aid weighing nearly 200 tons.

He also said that KSrelief has also secured food items weighing 1,920 tons loaded on 200 trucks, which will be dispatched as a land convoy from Pakistan to support the neediest people in Afghanistan.

Dr. Al-Rabeeah stressed that what the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince are doing represents the instilled values of the Saudi homeland. He said aid airlift highlights the pivotal role of the Kingdom in the world in providing assistance for the needy without discrimination. — SPA