KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan Ministry of Defense and army personnel provided food and money to the local families of 80 martyred or disabled soldiers at the government’s Bala Hissar facility in early July.
The ceremony and food donation event, conducted by the ministry’s Religious and Cultural Affairs office, sought to demonstrate the Afghan National Army’s appreciation for those families’ sacrifices and to help bring them together to develop a more active support network. Participating officials said the event’s timing was important, as it would help ensure the basic needs of local martyr families stayed met through the holy month of Ramadan, which began July 10.
In addition to receiving 850 Afghanis, each family left with a supply of food stuffs, including flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil, green tea, beans, chick peas and sweets. The local ANA support brigade assisted families with transportation to and from the event, and RCA officials provided a Family Support Directorate overview and spent time informing families of upcoming initiatives, events, and current assistance efforts.
“The officers of the RCA are completely dedicated to the ANA’s martyred and disabled families and work tirelessly to provide the families much needed support,” said RCA Plans and Policy Advisor Joelle Derbonne, a NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan advisor who works with Afghan RCA officials every day.
Leaders like Lt. Col. Mazari Amani, the RCA Director of Family Support, briefed families on plans to send 100 martyred families to the Hajj, provide more holiday packages, and come visit with them during the Eids, or celebration days.
"Lieutenant Colonel Amani goes to great lengths to ensure family members are provided support and know they are not forgotten,” said Derbonne. “I expect that she will personally visit some of these families during Eid to ensure they are doing OK. She wants them to know that they can count on the ANA to help."
The RCA First Deputy, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Mokhlis, promised continued support and to help solve any issues the families might encounter. He said that for many of the families, it was their first opportunity to get together and meet one another, and he hoped the event will help build relationships.
Families expressed their gratitude for not being forgotten and the continued support they receive. Many reportedly stated they had willingly “sacrificed their sons” for the country of Afghanistan, and they would do it again.