As we reflect on the recent one-year anniversary marking the dramatic political crisis in Afghanistan, we wanted to share an update on the work that over 6,500 people so generously supported.
EMERGENCY RELIEF
Turquoise Mountain distributed emergency food supplies to the families of weavers with whom we have worked for years. We reached people during the heart of a harsh and challenging winter, providing packages of food staples and blankets to families – and these efforts continued over six months.
Carpet weaving is a predominantly female-held occupation, and often done at home. In the heart of this crisis, women weavers have in many cases become the primary and often only breadwinners for their families. With so much uncertainty, a stable and dignified income is so important for these women and families.
“I can tell you when the men of the household are jobless and cannot find a job, our profession and occupation of weaving guarantees us females having jobs. It means that weaving is very important.We love our weaving. It is part of our culture. We feel honoured to do this." Maryam, a weaver from Mazar supporting 8 family members.
Family Health Services
The Ferozkoh Family Health Centre is an urban clinic established and operated by Turquoise Mountain, offering community-oriented primary health care and family medicine in the heart of the Murad Khani district of Kabul.
Our community health clinic continues to provide essential healthcare to individuals and families in dire necessity. This year, we’re seeing the highest rates of clinic attendance since the clinic opened, serving upwards of 20,000 patients (over 66% women).
Our new female clinic director is supported by a team of five full-time doctors (two who specialise in family medicine), a paediatrician, a female doctor specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology, a dentist, nurses, lab technicians, a pharmacist, radiologist, community health workers and clerical staff.
The clinic has a network of community health workers to ensure continuous engagement with the residents of the old city, including those who are unable to travel to the clinic for care. Community health workers are trained to assist in public health campaigns and to reach families and vulnerable individuals in their own homes. Approximately 330 household visits are now made by clinic staff each month. Free antenatal, postnatal, TB and diabetes treatment, as well as psycho-social and counselling services, are provided by the clinic. In this time of crisis, it is more important than ever to provide this flexibility to patients by providing quality healthcare at home.
