Early this week, a Boeing 747 took off from Portland, Oregon, loaded with more than 190,000 pounds (86,000 kilos) of lifesaving humanitarian aid, bound for Kabul, Afghanistan. Reportedly the first non-military flight to receive approval to fly from the United States into Afghanistan since Sept. 11, the mercy mission carried hygiene kits, newborn and baby kits, livestock feed, winter clothing and blankets, school kits and medical supplies.
The flight took wing with the help of a US$50,000 donation from Microsoft to Mercy Corps, which teamed up with Evergreen Humanitarian Services to send and distribute the supplies. The two nonprofit organizations provided the costs of the plane and crew, and provided for aid distribution once on the ground in Kabul.
"We have to pull together in these times of uncertainty to continue to provide for those in need," says Bruce Brooks, director of Community Affairs at Microsoft. "Microsoft is pleased to support the work of Mercy Corps and Evergreen Humanitarian Services in such a worthwhile effort."
The supplies, valued at more than $2 million, include hygiene kits with such basic supplies as soap, shampoo and toothbrushes; newborn- and infant kits with blankets, diapers and clothes; surgical, clinical and first-aid supplies; animal feed for livestock to help stave off severe damage caused by four years of drought; and school kits with pencils, paper, chalkboards and chalk.
News source: MS PressPass
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