When Helping Haitians, Remember the Afghanistan Food Drop.

For the people that are still well and physically fit, they will become depleted without supplies. They will be outside the perimeter of the worst hit areas. I would begin there and allow them to be confident so they won't become desperate and move from secured and perhaps safe areas.

The people in devastated areas will welcome the relief and it will curb the anarchy.

Good luck. We can do this.

The difference, of course, was 'time' and the fact the people were not suffering through a disaster. But, the quicker the supplies can be distributed the better and if dropping similar packages as those we dropped in Afghanistan will bring about 'viable' populous of people able bodied and willing to help, it will start the recovery quicker.

It might bring about 'quiet' sooner. Less desperation if the people are getting the aid directly and without trying to 'move' to distribution points. There is always a chance of 'black market,' but, without money to begin with there really is little chance of that.




Before we sent retaliation forces into Afghanistan, the people were prepared for our arrival by fliers and food provisions dropped by the USA Air Force. There were small packages along with information as to whom was sending the help to the Afghan people and whom was coming to aid their country.

The trouble with logistics NOW is that it may come too late. If the drops over Haiti could be more wide spread and included 'basic' medical supplies, the people will know what do to with them.

...The containers, called TRIAD for Tri-Wall Air Delivery System, were tied to a static line that tightened and flipped the containers over once they were clear of the aircraft. The 410 food packets in each box then spilled free and dispersed over the drop zone.

"We determined our drop zones taking into account where the people who needed the aid are located, potential threats in the area, and existing wind conditions to maximize accuracy to the best of our ability," Allardice said. "Our goal was to get the aid to the right people, without putting them at undue risk."

Each of the 2,200 calorie ready-to-eat food rations provides an entire day's nutritional requirement for one person. Each packet contains two main vegetarian meals based heavily on lentils, beans and/or rice. It also has complementary items such as bread, a fruit bar, a fortified biscuit, peanut butter and spices.

"One meal provides enough nutrition for an entire day for one person, but needs to be supplemented with liquids," said dietitian Capt. Dana Whelan of the 86th Medical Group here. "The meals are a good source of protein, fortified with vitamins and minerals and are appropriate for someone in a poor state of nutrition....