PESHAWAR, Nov 11: The Taliban government, which had earlier asked the Edhi Foundation to provide them medical assistance at various hospitals in Afghanistan, has also allowed it to establish camps for the internally displaced persons.

Abdus Sattar Edhi, who visited Jalalabad a week ago and set up a medical and welfare centre in Torkham Bazaar, some 15km inside Nangarhar, told Dawn that the settlement of the IDPs in their own country would help them keep their cultural and psychological identity intact. Despite economic miseries, at least they would feel themselves safe (from the effects of xenophobia) within their country, he added.

“My foundation will help them (the Afghans) on permanent basis and start medical and welfare schemes in their country,” he said.

He said he had planned to set up seven homes for the homeless women and children in Afghanistan.

The foundation was considering restoring the Sarshahi camp in Nangarhar, considered as safe zone in eastern Afghanistan.

Edhi had donated an ambulance and a mobile unit for Jalalabad hospital, where doctors were short of medicines and manpower.

The foundation had also set up a centre in Jalalabad for the needy. Those who live near Torkham border daily visit Edhi centre for treatment.