Herat: Italy continues its support to the local health services

The Italian Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs are providing a combined and continuous support to both the regional and paediatric hospitals in Herat. Both medical facilities were recently renovated through a partnership between the Italian Agency for Cooperation & Development and the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), and received yesterday two ultrasound scanners and an incubator respectively.

Afghan Children discover an IED and allow its disposal by Police and ISAF forces based in Shindand

Italian Troops of ISAF destroyed today an Improvised Explosive Device placed in a culvert along the Ring Road near Aziz Abad, between Herat and Farah.

The bomb, likely consisting of 50 kgs of homemade explosive, had been discovered yesterday evening by a group of children who were playing nearby the road and who reported its presence to their village’s Elders.

Afghans provide medical care to refugees, coalition forces support

FARAH, Afghanistan (June 09, 2010) – Ministry of Health officials and coalition forces conducted a Village Medical Outreach Program (VMOP) at Mahajerbad Secondary School, for local village members in Farah, Afghanistan, June 9. The VMOP was an opportunity for Farah health officials to extend their reach by travelling to local villages and providing evaluations and medical care to local Afghans. Coalition forces in attendance were there in a support capacity.

Afghan child aged 7 rescued by ISAF Troops after IED explosion in Badghis Province

 A child aged 7 years was seriously wounded by the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in the District of Moqur, Badghis Province. An ISAF Patrol rescued the victim, who was provided first aid to the nearby Combat Out-Post “Husker”. Due to the serious wounds inflicted by the explosion, the child was evacuated by an ISAF Helicopter to Camp “Arena” to be treated for treatment at Regional Command West's field Hospital.  IED Incidents constitute a major threat not only to the Afghan Security Forces and ISAF, but also to innocent Afghan civilians, given their highly indiscriminate nature. The incident is currently under investigation.

Italian PRT and Milan University promote a Workshop for Women Reporters at the University of Herat

Herat (11 Jun). A one-week workshop focusing on ‘Women and Journalism in Afghanistan’ ended yesterday in Herat, with 15 Women Reporters attending classes taught by lecturers of the University ‘Cattolica’, based in Milan (Italy).  The workshop was locally promoted and supported by ISAF’s Provincial Reconstruction Team of Herat in partnership with the Italian Embassy and the “Fondiaria SAI” foundation. Digital cameras and two computers were donated to the participants that had to perform audio-visual reportages, featuring original aspects of everyday’s life downtown Herat. In a different section of the workshop, the 15 students interviewed prominent women representing the Afghan civil society.