Afghan, Coalition Forces Visit Snow-Bound Village

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 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."

(From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)