At a press conference held at the Government Media and Information Center, officials from the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) delivered their performance report for the past year.
According to ARCS officials, over the last year, a total of 1,430,036 individuals affected by natural disasters and vulnerable communities received cash, food, and non-food aid.
This assistance comprised items such as flour, cooking oil, beans, rice, sugar, salt, tea, macaroni, biscuits, chickpeas, tents, tarpaulins, and utensils, distributed to those deemed most in need.
Officials report that ARCS has delivered humanitarian aid to 22,735 individuals affected by the recent floods in Baghlan province.
Officials highlighted that healthcare service provision has been a key area of focus for the organization. Through 46 permanent hospitals, 36 subsidiary clinics, 65 emergency health teams, 36 mobile health units, and 45 mass immunization camps, essential healthcare services were made available to citizens nationwide.
In the past year, ARCS reported that 5,894,332 individuals accessed healthcare services, including 2,212 children diagnosed with congenital heart defects.
The organization also took responsibility for 1,495 orphans under its care, housed in five orphanages located in Kabul, Balkh, Kandahar, Nangarhar, and Herat.
Furthermore, 8,110 widows received vocational training in areas such as tailoring, embroidery, carpet weaving, and handicrafts through these orphanages over the course of the year.
Officials stated that, following a directive from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, total 116,259 beggars were collected, of whom 30,543 were identified as eligible for regular monthly cash assistance provided by the organization.
In total, 53,875,812 AFN were distributed to beggars during the past year.
In addition, 24,000 orphaned families across the country were granted 204 million AFN in financial aid.
In the past year, ARCS constructed an orphanage in the northeastern zone and installed solar power systems at its branches in Bamyan, Baghlan, Maidan Wardak, Laghman, Kapisa, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, and Jawzjan, at a total cost of 4.5 million AFN.
Membership in ARCS grew by 3,649 individuals over the past year, in addition the organization also conducted various training workshops for its volunteers and staff.
Furthermore, 54,879 boys and girls received religious and computer education at 35 educational centers operated by ARCS.
The organization also facilitated medical treatment abroad for 19 individuals, who were sent to Germany and have since returned following successful treatment.