Another refugee camp

News Release

International Security Assistance Force

ISAF joins Sozo International to provide relief to Afghan refugees

By: LT Dave Hecht

KABUL, Afghanistan – They are the poorest of the poor. Nearly 70 families, more than 100 young children; all displaced Afghans forced to move to this tent city near downtown Kabul because of intense fighting taking place in Helmand Province. Life in this camp is hard, but it got a little easier thanks to supplies delivered by ISAF troops and Sozo International, Jan. 24.

“There is a lot of desperation here,” said Abdul Wakil of the non-governmental organization Sozo International “I came here last night and all the people were cold and sitting in their tents gathered around a small candle for heat.”

For security reasons, refugees at the camp were unaware that a convoy of relief supplies would be coming. When the four vehicles arrived, ISAF troops helped distribute three blankets to every family, winter clothes and food. For the refugees, the donations literally mean the difference between life and death which explains why the crowd began fighting over the last boxes to be handed out.

“It’s a different world,” said U.S. Navy CDR Harold Roy of Bishop, Texas. “I guess a different mentality when survival is at stake and definitely these people are trying to survive. It’s an eye opening experience but it feels good to provide some kind of support.”

The tents the refugees call home are simply pieces of wood lashed together to create a frame with plastic tarps, sheets or rugs thrown over the top for shelter. While most appeared to have coats to battle the cold overnight temperatures, what refugees didn’t have on hand were hats and gloves, particularly for the children. It’s the same case for shoes as most wore a pair but with no socks.

“Can these people really change their future, can they really work their way up” asked U.S. Army Major Linda Sue Schwartz of Milwaukee, WI. “Unfortunately, I think their future is already determined for them.”

Donations from abroad are the lifeblood of Sozo International’s efforts across Afghanistan. The organization delivers supplies to not only refugee camps, but also hospitals, schools and orphanages. To keep those donations coming, ISAF’s Chaplain, U.S. Air Force Captain Eric Whitmore coordinates with military members and civilian personnel from all ISAF contributing countries to participate in these deliveries.

“They’re not going to change the world,” said Whitmore of Denton, Texas. “They’re not going to change Afghanistan in one night. I want them see firsthand what’s happening here and to take this story back to their local church, local school, local community and together, that’s how we fix the problem.”