Joint Service members Convoy Supplies to Afghan Refugees

Photo By James Varhegyi | Members of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) unload a truck full of donations from the United States after convoying to an Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) camp outside of Kabul, Afghanistan, July 27. The camp is home to approximately 585 families. The CSTC-A members, made up of joint and international military members, civil servants and contractors based at Camp Eggers, gather every two weeks under the Volunteer Community Relations (VCR) program to deliver the clothing, toys, school supplies and toiletries to the needy in the Kabul area. U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Weber manages the VCR program. He works with Afghan religious and cultural affairs (RCA) officers to determine where the donations are most needed. Once the donations are packaged for distribution, the chaplain organizes a convoy to take the VCR program volunteers out into the local community to distribute the donations and to interact with the Afghan citizens.  

AFGHANISTAN

08.02.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein 

United States Air Forces Central           

By Staff Sgt. Julie Weckerlein
U.S. Central Command Air Forces Public Affairs

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan – Dozens of joint service members delivered clothing and supplies to a local refugee camp near Kabul recently as part of a volunteer community relations program offered by the garrison chaplains here.

It's a bi-weekly program that inspires many people assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, said Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Weber, Camp Eggers garrison chaplain who is deployed here from Pacific Air Forces located at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

"These are military and coalition members who volunteer," he said. "They participate on their own time and at their own risk to do something good for the people of Afghanistan."

Working with local mullahs, or Islamic leaders, as well as various government and relief agencies, the VCR program organizers plan their missions based upon areas most in need of the assistance, visiting a new location every two weeks. Once a location is determined, the organizers and volunteers meet a few days before the trip to sort the items sent over from the United States.

"Donations come in mostly through word-of-mouth, from people stationed here telling others back in the states," said VCR organizer, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Fred Hays, religious program specialist and chaplain's assistant. "We get donations from schools and churches, too."

Normally, the group averages about 20 large boxes filled with clothing, personal hygiene items, medical supplies, school supplies, food and blankets. Recently, the group donated about 2,000 pairs of shoes to a local village.

"Putting smiles on these young people's faces, that's the main thing," said Hays. "If we can win the younger generation's hearts in this war (against terrorism), we'll be able to win this war because the younger ones will be taking over for us. Show them kindness and that kindness can be returned."

During the trip to the refugee camp, the volunteers interacted with the Afghan families who showed up to watch them unload the boxes. Some military members passed out candy and soccer balls, while others gave high-fives and danced with the children.

A few translators were on-hand, to include Mohammad Khan, assistant director of Sozo International, a U.S.-based relief agency that supports this particular camp, which
contains 585 families with each family averaging about six to 10 members.

He said many of the displaced Afghans had been living in Iran and Pakistan, as well as throughout Afghanistan, before ending up at the camp.

"This plot of land was designated to put about 13,000 (displaced) families," said Khan. "As you can see, they are pretty isolated out here from the rest of the population. The wind and the sun make this place very difficult to live. Their greatest need is for water and shelter. They were provided a water pump, but the hand pumps are not working properly out here. They are now getting their water from a tank and distributing water that way."

Khan said that the camp's mullahs appreciate the donations from the Americans. "They understand that the Americans bring what they can offer and they are thankful for that," he said.

Navy Chaplain (Capt.) James Fisher, CSTC-A command chaplain, said he is proud of the volunteers and the work they do for the Afghan people.

"We do want to help those who are in need," he said. "In a large sense, this represents the heart of America to the people here. When you see this country brutalized by war and the Taliban who are thugs and thieves who kill people, you don't see much spirituality. You don't see much compassion. These Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors are just good-hearted military people. They want to make a difference."

• Date Taken: 08.02.2007
• Date Posted: 08.02.2007 15:15
• Story ID: 11613
• Location: AF