Task Force Center promotes new humanitarian initiatives

HERAT, Afghanistan (Apr. 12) - As part of an operation called "Hearts and Minds,” Task Force Center, based on 1st Regiment “Bersaglieri” under the command of Italian Col. Francesco Maria Ceravolo, has launched a series of activities to enhance residents of Shindand District awareness of initiatives underway by Afghan authorities and international security forces.

To better accomplish their goals, Task Force Center instituted the "Female Engagement Team,” of female soldiers. The Italian team is comprised of a team leader, Capt. Valentina Floris, a medical officer for health, Lt. Helga Cosolo, a Non-commissioned Officer responsible for cultural relations and tribal relations, Sgt. Francesca Triolo, and a soldier responsible for providing humanitarian assistance, 1st Corporal Claudia Barone.

The first activity took place April 8 with the Organization of "Women Council" of Shindand. More than 150 women from area towns and villages participated in the first meeting. The newly-formed council decided to support the "teacher women,” a project to encourage young teachers go to schools in the area to teach reading and writing to girls in the district. Bersaglieri of Task Force Center will donate materials where they are necessary.

The second initiative involves women in the Shindand area starting a business of their own. The business will a involve setting up "cooperative" in which the women will make and sell clothing in various area bazaars. The Bersaglieri will also help with pest control of premises adapted for the production and will help providing a generator to power the machinery.

Finally, the "Female Engagement Team" will teach courses in obstetrics and first aid to a group of 10 Afghan women from the most isolated villages in the area. The local women will then take their new knowledge back to their home and provide appropriate assistance and training to others. This will help Afghans without access to a specialized medical facility to have initial treatments. The women will also be provided access for their areas to get telephone counseling or emergency help from Task Force Center.

The decision to send the “Female Engagement Team” followed a complex joint operation conducted last week in the Farsi District by the Italian military in which the Commander of Regional Command West, Brig. Gen Alessandro Veltri, participated in a shura held at the local Governorate. There, elders highlighted the need for a common effort to improve the process of growth and development of the territory through the distribution of humanitarian aid, medical aid to the population and any other useful initiatives targeted primarily at meeting the needs of the poorest families of the district.

To satisfy these needs, Task Force Center have taken food for families most in need, school supplies, agricultural equipment, and seed for approximately 200 hectares of cultivation. The total aid taken to the area is more than 15 tons, including sensitive medical products.

“The expansion of the security framework implemented with the support of the Italian forces of Task Force Center” - said the Commander of Regional Command West Brigadier General Alessandro Veltri - “is the fundamental issue to ensure the consolidation of territorial presence and effectiveness of the distribution of humanitarian aid that, fundamental for the population, they are largely alleviating the hardships. All this” - concluded the General Veltri - “reinforces the developed confidence in the forces of the Regional Command West, also because they continue to operate in full compliance with local customs and traditions”.