About 10,000 aid packages of flour, oil and other foods will be distributed to school teachers and poor families in Mazar-e-Sharif city by an Afghan businessman.

The process of helping teachers and families started on Wednesday in the city.

Mujtaba Osmani, coordinator of the program, told a TOLOnews’ reporter: “7,000 packages are for teachers, 1,000 are for teachers of Madrassas (religious seminaries) and 2,000 packages will be given to families who were identified as needy."

The teachers, who have not been paid for the past three months, were  grateful for the program to assist teachers and needy families.

They stated that their families are struggling with a deteriorating economic situation. “At this critical and bad moment, all teachers and people need assistance,” said Hamid, a teacher.

“Our salaries should be paid, I have not received my salary for four months,” said another teacher.

In the meantime, Qudratullah Abohamza, governor of Balkh, said some efforts are underway to resolve the economic problems of teachers and that salaries will be paid.

“There is no worry, be sure, salaries which remained unpaid, will be paid, Inshallah,” said Abohamza.

The teachers added that such assistance is vital in a situation where the price of basic goods like food and fuel is climbing and families with low income face serious challenges.