ISTANBUL

China on Sunday sent its first shipment of emergency humanitarian aid to Afghanistan for earthquake relief, the China International Development Cooperation Agency said.

The consignment, mainly made up of tents and blankets, was flown to Kabul on two Chinese Air Force Y-20 planes, according to Global Times.

The agency added that more relief supplies will be delivered to Kabul in the coming days and distributed swiftly to those affected by the disaster.

An earthquake hit Afghanistan on Aug. 31, killing more than 2,200 people and injuring around 4,000 others, causing great devastation in the eastern province of Kunar.

Rescue efforts continue as many people are still believed to be trapped under the debris of collapsed houses.

The development came after China said Thursday it would provide nearly $7 million in relief after the strong earthquake caused severe devastation in Afghanistan.

Li Ming, spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, had said Beijing will provide 50 million yuan ($6.9 million) in emergency humanitarian aid, mainly including tents, blankets, and food, which are urgently needed in disaster-hit areas.