.jpg)
KABUL (SW) – The International Committee of Red Cross in Afghanistan on Wednesday marked the 30th anniversary of the Physical Rehabilitation Program in Afghanistan.
Joan Pedro, head of ICRC in Afghanistan, said on the occasion more than 180,000 people with disabilities and other issues have been served during these years. He note up to 1500 of these were war-victims while the rest were victims of natural disasters, traffic accidents and birth-related disabilities.
He said up to 12,000 people are treated by this organization in Afghanistan on yearly basis.
A number of people with disabilities receiving treatment at the ICRC facilities said they got a new life thanks to the Physical Rehabilitation Program. One such man, Rehman, said he lost his leg during the civil war, but the ICRC helped him start a new life with a shop, wheelchair. He is also member of center’s basketball team.
Farzana, a female victim said she lost her leg 20 years ago to a landmine. She got an artificial limb thanks to the Physical Rehabilitation Program. She now works at this center.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, up to 5 per cent population of Afghanistan is disabled. 22 centers associated with the Physical Rehabilitation Program of the ICRC are working in Afghanistan’s 17 provinces.
ENDS
