Tuesday, September 08, 2009

NATO, Afghan Forces Help Flood Victims

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 8, 2009 - NATO International Security Assistance Force servicemembers have helped Afghan forces in their efforts to aid flood victims in eastern Afghanistan. In Laghman province's Alingar district, ISAF servicemembers delivered three truckloads of humanitarian aid items to Sundurwa villagers Sept. 3 after a road washed out, destroying a house and killing nine children. Two children were missing after the flood.

In an effort to support the Afghan Border Police, who initially responded to the washout and provided humanitarian aid, ISAF servicemembers, including an engineer serving with the Nuristan provincial reconstruction team, assessed the road and determined it could take up to a week before it could be repaired.

ISAF also delivered humanitarian supplies to the Behsood district in Nangarhar province after heavy rains and local flooding destroyed 289 homes Aug. 31.

In addition to the assistance provided by Afghan soldiers, Task Force Mountain Warrior members and the Nangarhar provincial reconstruction team provided almost 2 tons of rice, more than 600 pounds of sugar and many other necessities to the flood victims. They also assisted with a contract for repair of the Saracha bridge, which was washed away by the raging waters.

"We are happy to assist the government of Afghanistan as they assist their citizens in need," said U.S. Army Maj. T.G. Taylor, Task Force Mountain Warrior spokesman. "The real effort for these humanitarian assistance missions came from Afghans, including the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army."

(From an International Security Assistance Force news release.)

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