Date of Start: 12. April 2020

Place: Ansari Vocational Training Center

The spread of coronavirus is increasing in most countries of the world and it has affected a large number of people.  Also, no vaccine or treatment has been approved yet to prevent the virus or treat this disease. Therefore, The World Health Organization has recommended some ways to prevent the virus spread. One way which has recently been recommended is using of masks. On the other hand, mask shortage is one of the main problems that is felt these days around the world even in the first world countries. This is also a serious challenge in developing countries such as Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, masks are found in small quantities and are sold at high prices. On the other hand, majority of Afghans are poor and can’t afford buying masks.

In this critical situation, Help INGO in Afghanistan, in cooperation and coordination with Herat Department of Labor and Social Affairs, and given the needs of poor and needy people, has started sewing and producing of hygienic fabric masks using available tools equipment in Ansari Vocational Training Center – advanced tailoring and bag making – and vocational trainers and trainees. The main objective behind the effort is production and distribution of masks for free among the poor and needy people, especially vulnerable and street working children in order to contribute to the prevention activities against spread of the virus among people in Herat province. Because wearing mask can prevent the spread of respiratory secretions and slow down the spread of the virus among people. Also it creates a protective layer among people.

It is worth mentioning that Help produces 200 masks per day and distribute them among the poor. All due hygienic advices are respected while producing these masks in the vocational training center.

Source: Help IT & Public Relations Department