The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) donated hygiene supplies to the Pul-e-Charkhi Central Prison which houses over 9,000 inmates, to check the spread of Coronavirus within the facility.

For those detained in prisons, sanitation and health care remain important as over 100 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in prisons around Afghanistan. Due to the close proximity of the prisoners, there is a significant risk if preventive measures are not in place in Pul-e-Charkhi, which is the country’s largest prison.

The ICRC donated large quantities of hygiene items such as soap, bleach, sprayers and chlorine, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) for cleaners, such as rubber boots and gloves. Hand washing stations with soap were installed for detainees and prison staff. Kits were also provided to ensure the safe management of the dead bodies.

The ICRC also provided full PPE kits and infrared thermometers to the prison staff, along with improving health-care facilities, upgrading COVID-19 detection procedures and contributing to the set-up of isolation areas for those who had tested positive.

Besides this, financial incentives were given to health staff who were recruited for the COVID-19 response. The ICRC also provided technical advice on how to implement the COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan adopted by the Ministry of Public Health and the General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Centres.

Similar work is being done at the Bagram prison in Parwan, Sarpoza prison in Kandahar, and Herat prison.