Sunday, November 19, 2006

CJTF-HOA delivers humanitarian aid to Ethiopian flood victims

Nov. 10, 2006
By U.S. Air Force Capt. Jonathan Friedman
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs


GODE, Ethiopia - A C-130 Hercules aircraft from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa flew nearly 48 tons of relief supplies from Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, today to ease the suffering of nearly 217,000 people displaced after the recent flooding in the Ogaden region.

The U.S. Air Force aircrew loaded 20 pallets with relief supplies from Ethiopia’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency, in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development, and flew them to Gode, Ethiopia, for distribution to people in the affected area.

U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa delivered humanitarian aid to flood victims in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia Nov. 10, 2006. Official U.S. Navy photo by MCC

“We’re delivering these supplies at the request of the Ethiopian government,” said Marine Maj. Phillip Frietze, mission commander for the operation. “In doing so, we’re helping to provide humanitarian relief to hundreds of thousands of people who were tragically affected by the flooding in this region.”

The pallets contained non-perishable food items and basic living supplies to assist those in the region. The relief supplies included water containers, high-energy biscuits, bed sheets and water-purification tablets.

“Our combined efforts are about helping people who are in need of assistance right away,” said Rear Adm. Tim Moon, CJTF-HOA deputy commander. “By helping the people of our partner nations, we’re continuing to build upon our already strong relationship and ensuring that we create an environment together where extremist have nothing to offer.”

The admiral noted that the complex coordination efforts between the host nations of Eastern Africa, the US embassy, CJTF-HOA, and agencies such as USAID, illustrate the effectiveness that can be achieved to alleviate human suffering when all agencies seek a common goal.

“It’s an honor to partake in a mission such as this,” said the admiral. “To help supply thousands of people with basic necessities of survival -- this is the definition of mission accomplishment.”

Hat tip: CENTCOM.