Around 1,500 needy families to receive cash aid in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): The distribution of $384,780 in cash aid for 1,452 needy families has been started in Lashkargah, capital of southern Helmand province, officials said Wednesday.

The cash assistance was provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and distributed by Human Resources Development Agency (HRDA) and the Department of Refugees and Repatriation of Helmand.

Mulavi Allah Dad Inqiadi, director of Helmand Refugees and Repatriation Department, told Pajhwok Afghan News that the distribution $384,780 cash aid for 1,452 war-affected and displaced families began today and would be completed in the next three days.

He added that the families were selected as a result of a transparent survey of those affected by wars and displaced from their homes.

Each affected family would receive an amount of $265 in cash assistance so they would be able to meet their needs during the winter, he said.

He assured that cash assistance checks would be issued to the needy families by a tasked committee in the presence of intelligence officials.

Talking on behalf of the war-affected and displaced families, Qudratullah told Pajhwok Afghan News that hundreds of such families had been displaced from their areas due to the recent war, but were also facing severe economic hardships.

He thanked aid agencies for their help, but called for more assistance for more needy families in the province.

Over the past few months, thousands of families in Helmand have received cash and food aid.

Local officials say that the aid agencies will continue to assist the needy families in the province in the future.

mds