Panjshir Reconstruction Team Aids Nomadic Afghans

Nomadic Afghans
Originally uploaded by Sydney Weasel.

by Capt. Joe Campbell, Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team

6/1/2006 - PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Medics, interpreters and support troops from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team set up a short-notice medical outreach recently for the nomadic Kuchi people during their spring migration through the Panjshir Valley.

Known as a Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, the event provided treatment for Kuchi families as they move their sheep, goats, donkeys, camels and cattle to the high country for the summer. The Kuchi are Afghan Pashtun who migrate among the lowlands and highlands of Afghanistan and Pakistan each year.

“We’ve seen the Kuchi families on the road the last week or so as they move their herds North and we wanted to meet them and learn from them,” said Lt. Col. Neal Kringel, Panjshir PRT commander.

Fletcher Burton, Panjshir PRT director, and Colonel Kringel met with Abdul Qadeer, the Panjshir chief of traffic police, to discuss a coordinated meeting with the Kuchi.

“We brought the impromptu meeting idea to Mr. Qadeer and he quickly agreed that we should do it,” said Mr. Burton. “In fact, he led us out right then to meet some of the Kuchi who happened to be in the area.” {Click on image for details}