The Hope Caravan Foundation (Umut Kervanı Foundation), a humanitarian organization based in Türkiye, has provided critical aid to the Surhrot region in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, which was recently devastated by severe floods and hailstorms.

The natural disasters, which occurred approximately 20 days ago, caused significant destruction, resulting in the loss of 170 lives and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

In response to the disaster, Hope Caravan distributed food supplies, red meat, and financial assistance to support the affected families. The aid distribution was led by Hope Caravan’s President, Cengiz Kurtaran, who, along with his team, visited the region to personally deliver the assistance and offer condolences to those who lost loved ones.

During their visit, Kurtaran and his team held individual meetings with the families impacted by the disaster, providing support tailored to their specific needs. In his remarks, Kurtaran emphasized Hope Caravan’s ongoing commitment to supporting those in need globally. "It is our humanitarian duty to stand by our brothers and sisters who have been affected by such disasters," Kurtaran said. "As Hope Caravan, we will never hesitate to go wherever there is a need and to help heal the wounds."

The local community expressed deep gratitude for the aid provided by Hope Caravan, noting that the support helped them feel less alone during these challenging times. One resident acknowledged the significance of the charitable contributions from Türkiye, expressing appreciation for the timely and much-needed assistance.

Kurtaran also highlighted the emotional toll the disaster has taken on the community, sharing stories of loss and hardship. "Every person here has a painful story," he remarked. "Some have lost their homes and loved ones to the flood, while others have been injured or have faced unimaginable challenges. I thank the generous people in Türkiye for their contributions. May Allah reward them many times over. I pray for mercy for those who lost their lives and a swift recovery for the injured. I hope their homes are rebuilt as soon as possible," he added.

Local residents, including Abdurrazık Ghanmir and Harun Nasrallah, shared their experiences and expressed their gratitude for the assistance. Ghanmir, reflecting on the severity of the disaster, said, "May Allah be pleased with those who come here to help their brothers and sisters. May He grant them paradise and give them strength." Nasrallah, who lost his father in the storm, described the tragic event, saying, "We experienced a very strong and severe storm that destroyed our home. My father became a martyr. He wasn't at home when the storm hit. He took shelter in a shop, along with three others. When the storm came, the shop collapsed, and all four of them, including my father, were martyred."

Another resident, Sharifullah Metin, recounted a harrowing incident involving a 110-year-old tree that fell on their home during the storm, tragically trapping and injuring his young nephew. "On that day, by divine decree, there were dark clouds in the sky," Metin recalled. "No one could have predicted that the tree would fall, but the storm was so intense that it toppled onto our house. My 3-year-old nephew was trapped underneath. At first, we thought he was outside, but he was actually buried under the rubble. There were so many injured that we didn't realize it at first. I am deeply saddened."

The aid provided by Hope Caravan has offered much-needed relief to the disaster-stricken community in Surhrot, bringing hope and solidarity to those facing immense challenges. The organization’s commitment to helping those in need continues to resonate with the local population, demonstrating the power of global humanitarian efforts. (ILKHA)