Kabul: Diplomatic Roundtable of ARCS Held on Humanitarian Needs and Expansion of International Cooperation
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
The ARCS held a diplomatic roundtable with the participation of representatives of foreign countries, international humanitarian organizations, and working partners to discuss the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the humanitarian and healthcare services of the ARCS, and ways to further strengthen and expand these services.
The meeting was attended by Sheikh-ul-Hadith Shahabuddin Delawar, General President of the ARCS; Hafiz Azizur Rahman, Vice President of the ARCS; Hossam Faysal, Head of the IFRC Delegation in Afghanistan; Johannes Brouwer, Head of the ICRC Delegation in Afghanistan; representatives of the embassies of Qatar, Iran, China, Türkiye, Indonesia, and Japan; representatives of the Qatar and Turkish Red Crescent Societies; representatives of the British, Danish, and Norwegian Red Cross Societies; the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center; the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Peace Village International; the Norwegian Refugee Council; Save the Children; Mission East; ECHO; the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; and DACAAR.
Mr. Delawar briefed participants on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the activities of the Society. He said that the ARCS serves people through emergency response during natural disasters and humanitarian crises, healthcare services, assistance to affected families, and other humanitarian activities. He emphasized that long-term and sustainable international support is needed to maintain and expand these services.
Mr. Delawar also spoke about the activities of the ARCS specialized Cardiac Hospital in Kabul in treating patients with congenital heart defects, as well as the Society’s services in disaster preparedness and in strengthening community resilience against risks arising from climate change. He stressed the need to further expand these services with the support of international humanitarian organizations and working partners.
The Vice President of the ARCS expressed his appreciation to international partners and donors for their cooperation and called on embassies, international humanitarian organizations, charitable organizations, and partners to expand their support for strengthening humanitarian activities and assisting people in need.
The Head of the IFRC Delegation in Afghanistan emphasized the importance of strengthening the humanitarian activities and operational capacity of the ARCS. He said that foreign countries and international partners can further expand their support for the ARCS in addressing Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs.
The Head of the ICRC Delegation in Afghanistan also commended the humanitarian and healthcare services provided by the ARCS as an independent humanitarian organization and assured the continuation of the ICRC’s cooperation in supporting and strengthening these services.
The meeting also included discussions on Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs, returning refugees, vulnerable and needy people, healthcare services, and future humanitarian cooperation.
Participants were called upon to make greater efforts in their respective countries and organizations to support needy families and families without guardians, vulnerable people, and patients; mobilize assistance for them; and help create opportunities for the expansion of the humanitarian activities of the ARCS.
Participants shared their views on Afghanistan’s humanitarian needs, the services of the ARCS, and future cooperation, and emphasized the importance of developing effective and sustainable cooperation.
Through diplomatic and humanitarian engagement, the ARCS is working to mobilize international support for the needs of vulnerable people in Afghanistan and to strengthen opportunities for expanding its humanitarian services.
