ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: The first consignment of relief supplies, donated by South Korea for the Afghan refugees, arrived at Chaklala Airbase on Saturday.

Considering the urgency of aid needed by the refugees and complying with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) request for assistance, Seoul has announced to provide relief goods worth $1 million through the UN body.

The relief goods, which arrived today, were handed over by the officials of the South Korean embassy to UNHCR for distribution.

A press release issued by the South Korean embassy here today said that Seoul’s decision to send relief goods for Afghan refugees was part of its efforts to extend cooperation to the US-led anti-terrorism action and to provide humanitarian aid to the displaced Afghans.

It said that to cope with the latest influx of Afghan refugees to neighbouring countries, particular Pakistan, the Korean government had decided to share the UN burden, which had appealed to the international community for $584 million worth of urgent humanitarian aid.

“South Korea hopes that its aid will help alleviate the refugees’ sufferings caused by non-availability of blankets, tents and basic relief facilities,” the press release said adding that Seoul would continue to explore ways for providing further assistance.

South Korea had also been providing humanitarian assistance for refugees in countries like East Timor, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Kosovo.