The president of the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), Mrs Fatima Gailani, and the organization’s secretary general, Mr Abdul Ghani Kazimi, were recently presented awards by the Afghan president, Mr Hamid Karzai. These awards were given in recognition of their individual contribution to Afghan society and of the important community work of the ARCS.
The International Federation’s Ali Hakimi sat down with Mr Kazimi to find out more about these awards and the ongoing work of the ARCS in Afghanistan.
Ali Hakimi: Thank you for finding the time to speak with me. Sir, could you please tell us about these awards?
Abdul Ghani Kazimi: Mr Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s president and a patron of the ARCS, presented the Malalai medal to Mrs Gailani. The Malalai is one of the highest awards in this country and is named after one of our country’s greatest heroines. I was awarded a Bariyal first-degree medal, which is also a symbol of appreciation in Afghanistan.
Those medals are for people who show capabilities and merit in providing assistance to the community. I’m happy that the ARCS has been recognized in this way.
A.H: What is the ARCS doing to support people who are living in disaster-prone areas?
A.K: The ARCS, like all National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is an auxiliary to the government in the humanitarian field. Last year we responded to natural disasters such as floods, droughts and bouts of cold weather mostly in our country’s north, west and central regions. We also provided immediate help for those affected by natural and man-made disasters in the volatile southern provinces.
Last year we prepared a five-year plan for the first time and we are currently revising our National Society constitution. We have also been very active in constructing clinics and offering medical services for people in remote areas, particularly in east and central Afghanistan where other humanitarian organizations can’t reach.
A.H: How have the staff and volunteers of the ARCS performed in recent times?
A.K: Volunteers are the fundamental base of the Red Crescent’s work. They represent us at the community level. The work of our youth volunteers’ has been particularly impressive.
Youth activities, such as camps to encourage people to fight discrimination and violence and to work to revive peace and harmony, have had a good impact on communities.
A.H: The harsh winter has arrived. How is the ARCS preparing to support vulnerable people?
A.K: We have been preparing in order to respond immediately to disasters in 34 provinces. We already transferred food and non-food items to 15 provinces, and this is now being done in the other 19 provinces.
A.H: What are the major projects for the coming year and beyond?
A.K: Our main focus is on continuing to improve the quality of our work, of building our capacity, fundraising and achieving financial independence. One of our most important programmes for 2008 is a partnership meeting that we are holding in Kabul.
Our activities are based on a five-year strategic plan. Our main focus will be on disaster management, health and care, capacity building, social welfare and improving coordination between programmes.
A.H: What kind of support does the ARCS need for the future?
A.K: As you know, the Afghan people underwent lots of challenges and difficulties because of the civil war. I promise that the ARCS will continue to use its entire capability and capacity to provide services to the most vulnerable people. According to our plan for the next year, I am sure we will have an improvement in our activities. I look forward to having even more cooperation with the International Federation, the ICRC, other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and our stakeholders.
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