Last week we reported of OBI's food distribution for the people living in the mountain village of Lalender. Now, read how the surrounding community of 11 villages worked together in getting this much needed disaster relief to those who needed it most!

From OBI's relief worker's latest report...

"Our first distribution was in Lalender about 50 kilometers southwest of Kabul. Two trucks and two passenger vehicles loaded with food items, blankets and clothing headed out at 6a.m. It was cold and the roads allowed only one vehicle to pass at a time. In a few areas the mountain walls were narrow and rocks jutted out on both sides. The prepared drivers had hammers, chisels, and other equipment to clear these obstacles. Nearby villagers saw the difficulty and helped in chiseling the rocks. In addition, three days before an earthquake hit Kabul loosening large rocks from the mountainsides. A two hour drive turned into four. Finally, we could not go further and had to stop in the middle of eleven villages. The word of our location spread. Within minutes the beneficiaries were at the ground of the distribution. It was an amazing sight to see men and children with their donkeys who came as far as 5 miles to receive relief.

“'You have made all our people in the village very happy," expressed village elder Malik Wais. "...we have not received anything. You have blessed 510 families, the neediest in our village. On behalf of the 11 villages in our community, I would like to thank you and your organization for helping us.'

"A father of five named Gulaghah lost his eyesight after a land mine explosion. 'I can’t work and have no place to go to. I depend on the kind villagers for food. I came to this village as an internally displaced person during the factional fighting among our people hoping that someone would help. I am thrilled today to receive much more from your organization. This is not just food to fill the hungry stomachs, but to have rice, beans and sugar is luxury. From the bottom of my heart thank you.'

"The distribution package consists of flour, rice, beans, sugar, oil, tea, salt, quilt and clothes. These packages would last them for about a month. Winter is harsh, but we were only able to provide one blanket per family. One positive point of the village is that they take care of each other during harsh times. Everyone was thankful for the food items and at the end of the distribution they raised their hands to the heaven and thanked Operation Blessing and International Foundation of Hope for remembering them.

"I wished those who supported this project could have been here to see the hundreds needing help. The people just do not live in the cities but also up on the mountains where many organizations do not make it due to bad terrains. Your help has reached to the most difficult places. Once again thank you and please continue to support the program."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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