2001 Press Releases

Remarks by Ambassador Kennedy  On the Arrival of American Red Cross Humanitarian Aid in Ashgabat

Dec. 10, 2001

Thank you, Deputy Chairman Rejepov, Advisor Nazarov, Deputy Minister Hudaygulyev, Mr. de la Roche of the American Red Cross, Ms. Ellieva of the Red Crescent Society, and all who have joined us, especially the crew and journalists who have flown so far to see this aid on its way to Afghanistan.

This is truly a partnership event, made possible by the joint efforts of the U.S. Government, the American shipping company Federal Express, the Government of Turkmenistan, the American Red Cross, the International Organization for Migration, and most of all the American children.

American kids raised all of the funds to buy this aid for the children of Afghanistan. In October, President Bush announced the America's Fund for Afghan Children. Since then, America's kids have had bake sales, lunchroom campaigns, and all kinds of creative fundraising efforts. In two months, they have raised over $1.5 million! As an American and a mom, I'm very proud of America's kids.

This is the first of at least two such flights to Ashgabat. All of this aid has been coordinated by the American Red Cross, and will be trucked overland by IOM to Faryab and Balkh, two of the worst-off areas of Afghanistan. These goods are being sent during the Holy Month of Ramadan, which is being celebrated in America this month along with Hannukah and Christmas. We hope these goods will arrive in time to help the Afghan children celebrate the end of Ramadan with the traditional Id holiday. There has been little to celebrate in their lives.

This flight contains winter tents, winter clothing, and gift parcels for the children of Afghanistan. The gift parcels include toothpaste, wool socks, school supplies, hats, and small toys. As President Bush said, this shipment represents the good will of the American children. It also represents our hope and desires that the plight of the Afghan children improves. Their situation is truly horrific. One in three is an orphan, half suffer from malnutrition, one quarter is not expected to live past five years old.

The U.S. Government is committed to helping these children. We have been the leading aid donor to Afghanistan both before and after September 11. Since October 2001, the U.S. Government has donated over $246 million to people of Afghanistan. We contribute 80% of all support for the World Food Program.

The Turkmen Government has been a strong partner in this effort. Turkmenistan has become a leading aid corridor to Afghanistan. Thank you for your commitment.

Let me conclude by saying thanks again to the children of America!