STORY: China Aid provides relief to Afghan returnees at border crossing
SHOOTING TIME: recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 22, 2025
LENGTH: 0:01:37
LOCATION: TORKHAM, Afghanistan
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of refugee camp and Chinese aid at Torkham border in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Pashto): ABDUL MUTALIB HAQQANI, Spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation
3. various of refugee camp and Chinese aid
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): FAHIM, Afghan returnee
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Pashto): ASSADULLAH, Afghan returnee

STORYLINE:

As the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Torkham witnesses a continuous flow of returnees and trade transactions between the two neighboring countries.
   
Over the past year, nearly 2 million Afghan refugees, mostly from Pakistan and Iran, have returned home. As of September 2024, some 2 million Afghans still reside as refugees in Pakistan.

Over the past years, China has provided a wide range of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, from COVID-19 vaccines to food and winter clothing, offering vital support to those in need during critical times.

Expressing gratitude for China's humanitarian assistance, Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, emphasized that "China deserves special thanks" for standing alongside the Afghan people in difficult times.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Pashto): ABDUL MUTALIB HAQQANI, Spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation
"We are deeply grateful to China for providing aid at such a critical moment, especially when a large number of Afghan refugees were returning from Iran and Pakistan. Their return coincided with natural disasters, and during such challenging times, we received China's support. Therefore, we extend our heartfelt thanks to China."

Addressing the challenges of managing returnees, Haqqani highlighted China's significant contributions, which include essential supplies such as tents, blankets, vehicles, ambulances, and water tankers. These items were distributed across various border crossings to help alleviate the hardships faced by the returnees.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): FAHIM, Afghan returnee
"I felt a sense of comfort when I saw the words 'China Aid' -- it reassured me that our friendly neighbor, China, stands by us in all circumstances."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Pashto): ASSADULLAH, Afghan returnee
"Living as a refugee is incredibly difficult and painful. I hope aid organizations to help us build homes and create job opportunities."

According to Haqqani, between 30 and 200 families crossed the Torkham border into Afghanistan daily.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Torkham, Afghanistan.
(XHTV)