Jun 24, Kathmandu- Taiwan has announced a $1 million aid package for earthquake victims in Afghanistan. Taiwan announced the aid on Thursday after calls from the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies to help.

Taiwan has not been able to become a member of the United Nations due to Chinese pressure to recognize the democratically ruled island as part of its territory. But it has shown itself to be a responsible member of the international community.

A statement from Taiwan's presidential office said that in response to the call for assistance from the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies, disaster relief efforts were being carried out on humanitarian grounds.

However, a spokesman for the president's office, Xavier Chang, said Taiwan was unable to send search and rescue teams in consultation with other countries due to transportation difficulties.

Taiwan is also an island in an earthquake-prone region. It has been sending rescue teams to other disaster areas around the world on a regular basis.

China has also stated its readiness to assist Afghanistan. However, the details have not been made public.

At least 1,000 people have been killed in an earthquake in Afghanistan's remote province. Hundreds have been injured and hundreds of houses and buildings have been destroyed.