Resume support to provincial hospitals, Kabir asks IFRC

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has urged the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to resume support to provincial hospitals.

Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Abdul Kabir issued the call during a meeting with IFRC Director for Asia Pacific Alexander Matheou here on Wednesday.

The Presidential Palace said in a statement Matheou stressed the need for the continuation of humanitarian and health assistance to the country from IFRC.

He said the organisation was trying to step up assistance to Afghans and pave the way for long term cooperation with the country.

Besides humanitarian and health support to the Afghans, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) enjoyed good ties with Afghans, he added.

Matheou believed the second phase of refugees’ deportation from Pakistan could have a negative impact on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. He called on Pakistani authorities to halt the deportations.

He added IEA’s support for the humanitarian organisation could attract greater aid from donors to Afghanistan.

The current nationwide security had paved the ground for more humanitarian and health assistance to Afghanistan, the deputy premier noted.

Kabir assured ICRC of IEA support and called on the organisation to resume support for hospitals in some provinces of the country.

The caretaker government backed humanitarian activities of the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and ICRC, he added.

aw/mud