RUSSIA TO DELIVER AID TO AFGHAN QUAKE VICTIMS (AFP, FEB 16)

MOSCOW, Feb 16 (AFP) - Russia will Tuesday start deliveries of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan earthquake victims, Interfax said. A Russian plane packed with a mobile hospital, a team of doctors and rescue workers, water purification equipment, and medicines will leave Monday en route to the Tajik capital Dushanbe, a press release by the Russian emergencies ministry said. From Dushanbe, personnel and supplies will be transported into neighbouring Afghanistan by Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters. A second flight from Moscow will carry food and tents. The Takhar region was hit by a strong earthquake on February 4, leaving around 4,500 people dead and 30,000 homeless. Bad weather has hampered transporation of relief goods to the region by the United Nations and international aid agencies