In a rare decision the war-torn Afghanistan has decided to send humanitarian assistance to the tsunami-hit people in south Asia, Defense Ministry spokesman announced Sunday.

"In line with the instruction of the president of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, a 20-member medical team with 30 tons of humanitarian aid including 10 tons of dry fruit would leave for Indonesia Monday," Zahir Azimi told newsmen here.

In the devastating tidal wave which shocked several countries at the bank of Indian Ocean late last month over 155,000 people have been confirmed dead and thousands other missing.

The team headed by former Afghan Minister for Health Sohillah Sidiq would stay there for about 20 days, added the spokesman.

This is the second time that the war-ravaged Afghanistan has been joining international community in helping needy people.

The post-war Afghanistan in a similar step sent relief to the quake-hit people of the ancient Iranian city of Bom in late 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2005)