Turkey is a close friend of Afghanistan. People of both the countries have many commonalities including history and religion. Since the ouster of Taliban in 2001, the Turkish government has had a significant share in reconstruction and development process of Afghanistan winning the hearts and minds of Afghans. Turkey has participated in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) since its inception with the deployment of 290- non-combatant support personnel in 2001.
Turkey is responsible for maintaining security around Kabul, providing training for the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police and has undertaken a number of reconstruction projects in the fields of education, health and agriculture in capital and provinces of Afghanistan. The role of Turkey in Afghanistan is an eminent model for the other countries especially the Islamic states to follow.
The warm relations between Turkey and Afghanistan have caused the two countries to go closer with passage of each year and support one another on every forum.
The news of the recent earthquake in Turkey has made all the people of Afghanistan feel uneasy. More than 200 people died and 1,000 were injured in the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey's eastern Van region on Sunday.
This is really sad news for Afghans and they are ready for help of any kind. Although the Turkish government has announced it can manage the disaster itself, the Turkish people are not alone and many countries of the world have offered help. The sympathies of Afghans are with them in this time of grief.
Turkey has been a great supporter of peace, prosperity and democracy in the world. Therefore, every nation is willing to help the people of Turkey in managing the disaster and recovering from it.
Disasters occur everywhere. Afghanistan too has been hit by natural disasters for several times in the past and Turkey has always been there to help Afghans cope those disasters and recover. Today, the people of Turkey are in trouble and the whole world including Afghanistan is ready to help them.