Service Projects

Since 2021, the IFRC Asia Pacific Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Collaborative, hosted by the Hong Kong Red Cross, has provided technical support to 38 National Societies to strengthen the delivery of quality, rightsbased MHPSS services for people affected by disasters, crises, and emergencies across the Asia Pacific region. The Collaborative supports emergency response, capacity building, knowledge management, and humanitarian diplomacy, in line with IFRC MHPSS Minimum Standards and WHO guidance.

A central focus of the Collaborative’s work is improving access to safe, dignified, and recovery oriented mental health services for people with mental health conditions living in highly vulnerable contexts, including Afghanistan.

Over the past two years, the Collaborative has provided technical support to the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in strengthening mental health rehabilitation services. ARCS, mandated by the government to support people with mental health conditions, currently operates seven mental health rehabilitation centres nationwide.

Recent assessments identified urgent needs in the Kabul and Kandahar mental health rehabilitation centres, which together house over 500 women and men with mental health conditions.

Proposed Approach

The intervention will adopt a comprehensive, multidimensional approach to strengthen infrastructure, human resources, service delivery, and governance, guided by WHO QualityRights and IFRC principles. The programme will prioritize dignity, autonomy, participation, and community inclusion, while reducing reliance on coercive practices.

Expected Results

• Safer, cleaner, and more dignified living conditions for residents
• Improved access to psychosocial and rehabilitation activities, enhancing well‑being and social functioning
• Reduced incidents of violence and restrictive practices
• Strengthened staff capacity, well‑being, and quality of care
• Improved availability and continuity of essential psychotropic medication
• Increased community engagement and pathways toward social inclusion and reintegration