"Despite of its own economic problems, the government of Afghanistan donated 150,000 dollars to our brother country of Iran," Jawed Ludin told reporters.

A cash donation of 100,000 dollars has been handed over to the Iranian ambassador in Kabul and the rest would be sent as food and equipment.

President Hamid Karzai has ordered Ismail Khan, the powerful governor of western Herat province which borders Iran, to provide the 50,000 dollars' worth of aid, he said.

A 20-member Afghan medical team has also been dispatched to help people injured in the quake which early Friday devastated the historic city of Bam and its surrounding region in southeast Iran.

Although itself struggling to rebuild after decades of war and conflict, Ludin said Afghanistan would extend whatever help it could to Iran.

"It's only a green leaf, a gift from the poor," Ludin said, quoting a Dari proverb.

TERRA.WIRE