The Bayat Foundation Donates Critical Supplies to Needy Afghans During 2012 Winter Aid Program

KABUL, Afghanistan, April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Bayat Foundation, led by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ehsanollah Bayat, donated essential supplies to help needy and at-risk Afghans as part of its 2012 Winter Aid Program. Throughout the winter, the Foundation's team traveled across Afghanistan distributing blankets, shoes, coats, gloves, wood, rice, and flour to tens of thousands of Afghans who found themselves at risk during what many observers considered the harshest winter in Afghanistan's history. Those who received aid included Afghans in Kunduz Province, Refugee Camps in Kabul City, Sheberghan City, Jawzjan Province, Maimana City, Faryab Province, Balkh Province and many families returning from Helmand province.

"This winter severely impacted many families, businesses, and villages," said Mr. Bayat. "Working with its donor partners, the Bayat Foundation was honored to provide necessities such as food and clothing to those Afghans in dire need in such harsh and difficult circumstances. We made a difference to Afghans during these severe conditions, and we are particularly thankful to see the hope of a better tomorrow in the eyes of those we reached through our Winter Aid program."

The Bayat Foundation also provided medical teams and ambulances for those who needed treatment, but had been kept away from medical care by the winter's severe weather conditions that closed roads and brought commerce to a standstill.

During implementation of the 2012 Winter Aid Program, Ehsan Bayat met with the Honorable Governor of Balkh, Ustad Atta Mohammad Noor, and pledged to donate five million Afghanis for the construction of the biggest mosque in Afghanistan. The mosque is planned to be located inside the Rawzae Mubarak in Mazar Sharif City.

About the Bayat Foundation

Since 2005, the US-based Bayat Foundation, a 501 c(3) charitable organization, has promoted the well-being of the Afghan people. Founded and directed by Ehsan Bayat and Fatema Bayat, the Foundation has contributed to more than 200 projects dedicated to improving the quality of life for the youth, women, poor, and elderly of Afghanistan. Projects have included the construction of new facilities and sustainable infrastructure in needy regions, and the promotion of health, education, economic, and cultural programs. In addition to his charitable initiatives, Ehsanollah Bayat founded Afghan Wireless (AWCC) in 2002 - a joint venture between Telephone Systems International, Inc. (TSI) and the Ministry of Communications - which was the first GSM wireless and Internet Service Provider in Afghanistan, and later established Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which includes Ariana Radio (FM 93.5). For more information, please email info@bayatfoundation.org.

CONTACT: Alberto Lopez, a.lopez@tsiglobe.com, +971-50-551-9636