DUSHANBE, February 29, Asia-Plus  -- The next plane with Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian aid on board is expected to land at the Dushanbe airport today afternoon, Asia-Plus has learned at the Committee for Emergency Situations (CES).

The CES deputy head, Mahmadi Mehtojev, told Asia-Plus that it will be the eighth plane with humanitarian aid from Saudi Arabia.  “The first plane arrived in Dushanbe on February 19,” the deputy head said.    

According to him, the planes delivered some 80 tons foodstuffs, warm blankets, and other relief supplies.  Besides, Saudi Arabia has allotted 10 million US dollars in no-strings aid to Tajikistan, Mehtojev.    

 Tajik emergencies official further added that the British plane with 8,000 warm blankets on board arrived in Dushanbe yesterday.  

He also noted that three train cars with warm clothes and foodstuffs provided by Kazakhstan are on the way to Dushanbe.

We will recall that countries and international relief organizations are continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to Tajikistan in connection with the UN’s Flash Appeal for Tajikistan in response to the current energy and humanitarian crisis.  Tajikistan has suffered an estimated more than $1 billion in economic damage from natural disasters and energy crisis.