Soldiers, relief organization help prepare Kosovo
village for winter
September 17, 1999
by Sgt. Chris DeHart
GAJRE, Kosovo (Army News
Service, Sept. 17, 1999) - U.S.
soldiers are helping villagers in this southeastern section of
Kosovo repair their houses in preparation for the upcoming
winter months.
The initial stages of an
emergency shelter program were
implemented Sept. 11 in a joint effort between Kosovo Force
troops and one non-governmental organization.
Members of the 415th Civil
Affairs Battalion and the
international relief organization, CARE, oversaw the delivery of
emergency shelter kits to the townspeople, which will help the
people set up temporary shelter against the coming winter
months. The kits of wooden beams, planks and plastic lining
will also help with repairs to already existing homes with
less-than-severe damage, according to Maj. Steve Welch, Civil
Military Center team leader.
"This is the first end product
we've seen and our first
chance to see what all our planning and assessments have led to.
It's great to get to see the end (result) of our operation,"
said Staff Sgt. Christopher Belan.
The goal of the program,
according to Peter Esposito,
field officer for the CARE shelter program, is getting as many
temporary shelters up for as many people as they can before
winter.
"So far (the program) has
really been (successful).
There have been a few hitches along the way, but it is really
starting to take shape. Hopefully we'll continue to have the
success we've had so far," Esposito said.
"This is just one
phase of a long project. It has been
a long battle but we are slowly getting through it. We have a
few other projects in the pipe, but for now, we are
concentrating on emergency relief," Esposito said.
(Editor's note: DeHart is
a journalist assigned to the
Task Force Falcon Public Affairs Office.)
