Afghanistan: ICRC social worker’s grit inspires fellow Afghan to rebuild life

Thirty-nine-year-old Afghan construction worker Nick Mohammad (a resident of Faizabad in Badakhshan province), who spent a part of his life as a migrant worker in Iran, returned to Afghanistan seven years ago.

Things were already tough, but they became worse when he fell from the fourth floor of a building in March 2018 while working there. The accident left him paralyzed and bedridden, rendering him jobless and hopeless – thereby making it difficult for him to provide for his four children.

Eventually, his family brought him to the ICRC-run Physical Rehabilitation Centre in Faizabad for treatment. When ICRC social worker, Habibullah Qaderi tried to inform him about our Social Rehabilitation Programme, Nick Mohammad lamented his miserable state and was not willing to listen.

Habibullah, who lost a hand and foot when he was caught in a landslide, shared with Nick Mohammad how he as well had lost all hope at one point. After getting discharged, Habibullah started working again and despite not being able to work much, did not give up and simultaneously passed a university entrance exam.

"I got into a university and despite limitations and hardships, I finished my studies and got a job. I feel useful, and this is a beautiful feeling," he told.

After hearing Habibullah's story, Nick Mohammad found a glimmer of hope and decided to give himself a chance to be happy. He found out about the ICRC's micro-economic initiatives programme for disabled people from Habibullah and applied for support under the same.

He was provided with a loan of 70,000 afghanis, which was used toward building a grocery store. Assisted by his daughter in the store, he was able to repay the loan in 18 months and now generates sufficient income for his family.