Iraqi Army leads combined humanitarian aid mission in Diyala province

News: Iraqi Army leads combined humanitarian aid mission in Diyala province

145th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

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Story by Spc. Anthony Jones Follow This Journalist

Spc. Anderson Savoy

An Iraqi army soldier unloads food and school supplies to internally displaced persons living in an abandoned hotel in the village of Sudoor, Diyala, Dec. 18. (Photo by: Spc Anderson Savoy)

DIYALA, Iraq — Soldiers of the Iraqi Army's 20th Brigade, 5th Division took the lead in planning and conducting a combined humanitarian aid delivery to displaced persons living in the village of Sudoor, Diyala province, Iraq, Dec. 18.

The supplies were delivered to Sunni Arabs who were removed from their homes in the predominately Kurdish city of Khanaqin in 2003 and are now living in an abandoned hotel.

Colonel Wadau, the executive officer of the 20th Brigade said, "These people have been displaced for six years and they are in need of help." He added the Iraqi government is making plans to move the people to new homes.

The drop was, conducted by 20th Brigade Soldiers and members of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. They provided each of the approximately 20 families with one 50 kilogram bag of rice, a 50 kilogram bag of flour, four bags of sugar, four bottles of cooking oil and four cans of tomato paste.

During the drop Soldiers of the 2/3rd Inf. provided assistance to their Iraqi counterparts by providing security and vehicles to move the supplies. They also took time to interact with the local residents who came to receive aid.

"Arrowhead" brigade medical officers were also on hand to discuss medical and preventative medicine with local elders.

The Soldiers also handed out schools supplies donated by various organizations from the United States.

There is no doubt these people need whatever support we and our Iraqi partners can provide, said Maj. John Walton, operations officer, 2/3rd Inf. "Operations like this really show that the Iraqi Security Forces cares about the populace."