ARCS Chief and UK Representative Discuss Expansion of Humanitarian Aid

Shahabuddin Delawar, head of the Afghan Red Crescent Society, met with Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom’s special representative for Afghanistan, to discuss expanding humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons and returning migrants. The meeting focused on strengthening coordination to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations across the country.

During the discussions, Delawar provided an overview of the society’s ongoing health initiatives. He highlighted the organization’s network of mental health treatment centers, which currently operate across seven regional zones. According to Delawar, these facilities serve approximately 1,500 patients in clinical settings and an additional 1,500 individuals receiving care at home. He also announced that a specialized hospital dedicated to treating children with congenital heart defects will soon open in Kabul. The new medical center is projected to perform up to 2,000 surgeries annually once fully operational.

Lindsay confirmed that future British humanitarian assistance will be channeled directly to the Afghan Red Crescent Society through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Officials stated that this framework is designed to streamline aid delivery and ensure resources are distributed efficiently to targeted communities. Both representatives emphasized the importance of sustained international cooperation to support ongoing relief operations and expand access to essential medical and social services for displaced families and returning migrants.