Operation Outreach Afghanistan Fills Many Afghan Needs with Supply Drop

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

02.17.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga 

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan – Operation Outreach Afghanistan continued to make a positive impact in the lives of less fortunate Afghans by donating blankets, clothes, school supplies and other items to approximately 200 refugee Kuchi tribe members Feb. 17 in Kabul.

Operation Outreach Afghanistan is a volunteer, non-profit organization made up of military members based at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, which receives monetary and material donations to help Afghans. The organization conducts humanitarian aid missions to take the items to Afghan refugee camps and others in need.

The humanitarian missions are conducted a few times a month as battle rhythm allows. The volunteers often conduct the missions on their days off, said Air Force Lt. Col. John Newman, senior advisor, Afghan National Army Logistics Command, who helped planned Thursday’s humanitarian aid mission.

The mission was another successful supply drop for the organization, with hundreds of supplies given to the Kuchi tribe, including fuel doughnuts, which are a more environmentally friendly fuel source to burn than trash, which many Afghans burn to stay warm.

“It is always chaotic, but today’s mission went very well,” said Newman. “The [Kuchi tribe] elder was happy.”

The mission to help the Kuchi tribe was the first humanitarian mission for some of the Operation Outreach volunteers.

“It was good to get out and see the local population,” said Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Moyer, supply mentor for Afghan National Police, who has been Operation Outreach volunteer for three weeks. “It feels great to help others.”

Many Afghans are born into poverty without the opportunity to get out of it, so it is important to help them. The more help they have, the less chance there is they will turn to the insurgents for help, said Moyer.

The missions are not just to benefit the tribe members and the fight against the insurgents. They build relationships, transcend boundaries between coalition forces and Afghans, and provide a boost to the local economy.

“The differences of religion and politics – it doesn’t matter,” said Newman. “When you hand someone who is cold a blanket, you are meeting an immediate need, and it’s all good. Everyone should sleep better tonight.”

Operation Outreach also involves the ANA in the drops, with soldiers providing security and handing out supplies. It helps the ANA build their relationship with the community, said Newman.

“It is so villagers understand they are the good guys too,” said Newman.

These missions also benefit the local economy. Whenever possible, Operation Outreach buys supplies from the local community, like Dari children’s books and blankets.

Recently, $2,000 worth of pogs, a currency substitute used in theater by American forces, was donated to Operation Outreach. The money was used to purchase blankets for villagers from a vendor in Kabul.

Operation Outreach has had a large impact on Afghans, helping nearly 17,000 in 2010. They receive donations almost daily and have raised more than $43,000 in material and monetary donations since September 2010. The organization keeps their supporters informed of the impact their donations have through a monthly newsletter and Facebook.

• Date Taken: 02.17.2011
• Date Posted: 02.18.2011 23:30
• Story ID: 65726
• Location: KABUL, AF