Winterization kits distributed to help Afghans survive winter

Photo By Lt.j.g. James Dietle | An Afghan widow receives a U.S. Agency for International Development winterization kit with the help of her brother. Each kit contains blankets, coats, stoves and other items to help families survive the winter.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

02.24.2009

Story by Lt.j.g. James Dietle 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — The U.S. Agency for International Development through the assistance of the local governance and community development project recently distributed more than 1,000 winterization kits in Konar province.

The initial distribution took place in the northern districts of Konar. Five districts each received 200 winterization kits from USAID. The local Konar government was able to provide transportation to the remote districts of Manogai, Nari, Chapa Dara, Dangam and Ghazi Abad so district governors could distribute the items.

"Ghazi Abad, Nari and Asmar have been the PRT's focus for humanitarian assistance distribution programs through the Konar government. We have been working with our USAID counterparts so that together we create the biggest positive impact possible. Distributing through the local Konar Government has enabled us to reach the people who need this help the most," said Spc. David Saenz, Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team member and an Ontario, Calif., native.

Distribution is helped in part by the Konar government's Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development directorate.

These officials, in collaboration with the provincial governor, monitor distribution of the donations for the entire province. Additionally, they are responsible for maintaining a supply of humanitarian assistance in the event of a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or flooding that would devastate families.

"Many locals have not travelled more than 20 miles from their village, have never seen a city, and do not have access to electricity," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Randall McGee, Konar PRT member and a Dayton, Ohio native. "However, the expanding Afghanistan government, with the help of USAID, has been working to help these secluded families receive goods and services to survive the winter."

Distribution of humanitarian aid items is often conducted at renovated district government centers. Manogai's District Governor Mohd Rahman, helped distribute the kits in his area at the newly constructed center. The nearby wall and Afghan national police station allows the kits to be distributed in safety to widows and other people in need of assistance.

"We have been working with the Konar Government to distribute goods throughout the province," said Army Cpl. Jerome Timmons, with the PRT's Civil Affairs team from Corona, Calif. "The Afghan government has been taking more and more ownership of the entire process. We are very pleased with their progress and ability to work with USAID to help the people of Afghanistan."

Each kit contains blankets, coats, stoves and other items to help families survive the winter. The supplies were designed to support larger families with small children. All of the kits are accounted for by Afghan local authorities to ensure everyone receives a fair share and items are not diverted.

More than 1,000 additional kits are designated to arrive in Konar province to be distributed to other districts. For 30 years, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has tried to address the humanitarian needs and the logistical challenges of a rural population that faces harsh winters, seasonal flooding and occasional earthquakes. The supplies from USAID should help give them momentum to substantially improve their lives over the winter months.

• Date Taken: 02.24.2009
• Date Posted: 02.24.2009 08:39
• Story ID: 30370
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF