Case Study 5: Colonel Faraz

Name: Colonel Faraz
Dist: Battagram, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan
Date: 15 October 2005

While the noise from the latest UN helicopter carrying relief goods to the mountain villages is disappearing, Colonel Faraz tries to explain the role of the military at the Army Relief Base Camp in Battagram. After the first days of chaos the army is now struggling to control the situation. They are setting up Base Relief Camps, arranging security for relief convoys, and coordinating the helicopter transports to remote areas. They are trying to organize the distribution so that the people who are in most need will get help.

Around the muddy helipad there are piles of food, clothes, and other relief goods. The only thing that they are short of is tents, and shelter is exactly what the people need most of all right now. Colonel Faraz expresses how thankful he is for the tents that have been provided through Church World Service for distribution in remote areas.

Bad weather conditions and mud and landslides have hampered relief activities and CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan is now in close collaboration with the army to distribute shelter kits through the army's helicopters. The army has been very cooperative and the distribution is being carried out very well. Colonel Faraz is the main contact person between the army and CWS in Battagram.

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