Reference :
V-P-AF-E-03033
Date :
11/11/2024
Caption :
Kandahar, Sarpoza prison. The ICRC delivers hygiene and winter equipment to relieve inmates.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
publication without restrictions
Description :
“Afghanistan: A year of responding to numerous humanitarian challenges
In 2024, communities in Afghanistan continued to face a dire situation marked by persistent economic challenges, natural disasters and the consequences of decades of armed conflict. International sanctions and reduced foreign aid created further challenges, contributing to a grim situation in a country where millions of people are grappling with poverty, food insecurity and difficulties in accessing essential services like health care.
The plight of vulnerable groups, including women, children and people with disabilities, is particularly concerning. This alarming situation requires sustained international attention and long-term support to ensure that essential assistance reaches those in need.
- Katharina Ritz, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Head of delegation in Afghanistan.
[...]
For the past 40 years, the ICRC has been visiting prison facilities in Afghanistan in compliance with our humanitarian mandate. As part of our detention-related activities, we have been maintaining a dialogue with the authorities to promote humane living conditions for detainees and the dignified treatment of people deprived of their liberty. Our teams work to improve detainees’ living conditions by providing winter, hygiene, educational and recreational items. We also provide technical support and expertise to help prison staff improve prison management systems and uphold detainees' rights, including access to essential services. Our efforts include helping detainees restore and maintain contact with their loved ones. Moreover, we promote the respect for basic judicial guarantees.
"People kept reassuring us, saying, 'Your son is alive and healthy, perhaps you are overthinking. But I couldn’t believe it. I was convinced that he had died because I hadn’t been able to contact my 15-year-old son for a long time. It was hard to accept when you cannot communicate with someone for that much time, it feels like they are gone forever. Then, after three long years, the ICRC told me they had found him, safe and well. When I finally spoke to him, it was as if he had been reborn. My whole family is incredibly grateful for everything the ICRC did to find my son. [...]"
ICRC website, article 31-12-2024
Original material :
digital
Resolution :
4000x2252
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
