KABUL - Some 240 people with disabilities were handed over ownership documents of residential apartments in Kabul on Saturday amid complaints the special people endured many hardships for two and a half years.

Built with Saudi Arabia’s support in coordination with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and the Disabled, each apartment located in Qasaba locality of the central capital has three to four rooms.

The beneficiaries have paid 10 percent of the apartments’ total prices and have to pay the rest in installments in a decade.

Wali Mohammad Totakhail, who heads the disabled people’s social council, told Pajhwok Afghan News they had applied for the apartments two and a half years back but the allotment was always delayed.

Totakhail, who lost both his legs in the conflict, said they received the apartments thanks to efforts by the new Labour and Social Affairs Minister, Nasrin Oryakhel.

According to her ministry, of the 466 apartments, 240 apartments have been built and distributed as of now and the rest would be distributed soon.

Laila, a disabled woman, said: “I had been living in rented houses with my six children. I’m glad having this apartment now and I don’t care if I’m without food or water because I will live under the roof of my own house.”

Holding the documents in her hands, Laila said she never thought one day she would own her own house, something that rekindled her hope in life.

Nasrin Oryakhail said unemployment remained a major challenge the disabled persons faced and the 5,000 afghanis monthly stipends they received was not enough.

“The disabled people get treated irregularly inside and outside the country. Most of these individuals come from poor families and are the ones who go to the frontline. Rich people’s sons don’t go to the frontline,” she remarked.

She suggested the disabled persons should have their own hospital for proper treatments.

Figures with the Wolesi Jirga’s commission on the disabled and martyrs show there are more than 800,000 disabled persons in Afghanistan with females constituting 41 percent of them.

But the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry says only 120,000 disabled persons are registered with it. (Pajhwok)

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