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BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (February 1, 2008) - Afghan
national security forces, assisted by coalition forces, delivered
supplies to the snow-bound village of Mienah, in the Khas Oruzgan
district of Afghanistan's Oruzgan province, Jan. 25.
The harsh Afghan winter dumped more than 3 feet of snow in the
remote area of Afghanistan, which is more than 9,000 feet above sea
level. The Afghan National Army's 201st Kandak and Afghan National
Police negotiated rarely travelled, narrow, icy roads to provide
much-needed supplies to the villagers in the district.
In Mienah, the district chief spoke with more than 20 male
residents of the village to update them on current events and
governance activities in the district. Villagers were eager to hear
from their district chief, because the latest news rarely reaches
the isolated area when snowy conditions make travel nearly
impossible.
The district chief also provided bags of rice, flour and beans
to residents to help restock villagers' shelves for the long
winter. The district chief handed out several AM-FM solar-powered
radios to villagers to help keep them informed of Afghan government
programs.
Afghan soldiers and police and national-government officials and
coalition forces made several visits this winter to remote villages
throughout Oruzgan province. With each visit, Afghan forces and
government officials listened to the concerns of villagers and
provided food, fuel, blankets and warm clothing, and school
supplies for children. During some visits, the combined forces were
also able to provide limited medical care for those who needed
it.
"The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan wants to
help citizens in remote sections of the country," said Army Maj.
Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. "Providing
food to help them get through the winter and radios to keep them
informed is one way the Afghan government shows their concern for
the welfare of all Afghan citizens."
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