Afghan, Coalition Forces Deliver Needed Items to Women’s Center

American Forces Press Service

FARAH PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – Afghan National Army soldiers, assisted by coalition forces, distributed food, tea and clothes to more than 350 women and children visiting the Afghan government's Women's Affairs Department office in downtown Farah, Jan. 26.

"This is a great help to us, because we need this," said Sovida, a 13-year-old seventh-grader who received flour and shoes from the soldiers. "It is good to distribute the food through the Women's Affairs Department, because women feel comfortable here."

The soldiers distributed more than 1,000 pounds of flour, rice and tea. They also gave clothes, shoes and blankets to the women and children registered with the department. The donations will help ease the effects of the harsh winter months.

"During the winter, food becomes hard to get because prices go up," said Lailuna Sadiqi, director of the Farah Women's Affairs office. "This is one of the coldest winters in Farah. We have many women who are poor and need a lot of help."

Sadiqi added that she's happy the Afghan army was able to distribute the food at the office in Farah, because it shows the army is concerned about the citizens of Farah province and all citizens of Afghanistan.

"The ANA did a great job of providing security and organizing the distribution of aid to the women," she said. "I look forward to working with the ANA and the coalition soldiers again to provide more aid to the poor."

The Afghan army and government are committed to meeting the needs of the nation's people, said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. "Visits like this prove their commitment to helping citizens in remote areas of Afghanistan," he added.

Source: US Department of Defense - From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.