Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) warned on Sunday that gatherings around bakeries for government-funded bread distribution could increase the outbreak of the coronavirus among the public.
According to the ministry, the coronavirus has spread rapidly in the past five days and positive cases are increasing day by day.
The Afghan government pledged to distribute bread to poor people via Kabul bakeries and it has started the process.
"Some bread is being distributed in the bakeries, but more people gathering. It has more disadvantages than advantages because the virus is spreading rapidly,” said Wahidullah Mayar, a spokesman for the MoPH.
Some residents of Kabul city also blasted the government policy of distributing bread via bakeries, and said that the gathering will harm people.
“People transfer the virus because for the 'ten breads,'” said Mohammad Bashir, a Kabul resident.
“For every person, $10 is allocated. Every family has 10 members, and they should receive $1,000 but they (officials) distribute only five breads. Ghani and Abdullah take the remaining money,” said Ghulam Bahauddin, another resident of Kabul city.
However, the Kabul municipality urged residents to follow the recommended health measures.
Apparently, the bread distribution process, which has received complaints from the public, is still being worked out.
“The list was made before the start of the process… we want the list to be complete soon,” said Daoud Sultanzoy, Mayor of Kabul city.
According to the mayor, the process will start in other provinces also.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said that two men were arrested in PD15 and charged with stealing 200 bags of flour.
According to the MOI, the flour was allocated for poor people in Kabul city.
“The people and the issues are under investigation. Police will act seriously against the law-breakers,” said Fardaws Faramarz, spokesman for Kabul police.
The Kabul municipality distributed bread to 250,000 families across Kabul city via 2,500 bakeries, but some poor residents say that wealthy people are also included on the list to receive bread.