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Soldiers of Bicester-based 23 Pioneer Regiment
went out to the Gulf in advance of the war to establish military
bases.
Within
days of the conflict beginning, they found themselves switched to
a new function, delivering humanitarian aid.
They have 7,500 days' worth of rations in plastic ration boxes
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| Colonel
Debbie Noble |
The
role-change coincided with warnings that the aid operation needed
in Iraq would be of epic proportions.
Almost
immediately, they faced frustration when mines prevented HMS Sir
Galahad bringing the disaster supplies ashore. It took days to make
it safe for the vessel to berth and begin unloading.
The
Pioneer Regiment was due to transport more than 200 tonnes of supplies
to a "safe" location in southern Iraq.
Colonel
Debbie Noble told Â鶹Éç South Today about the regiment's new task.
"In
their base they are holding nearly 160,000 litres of bulk water,"
she said.
"They
have 7,500 days' worth of rations in plastic ration boxes, and nine
containers full of disaster relief kit.
"That
includes things like jerry cans, blankets, wire, shovels and so
on to assist the local population in helping themselves get back
on their feet.
"It
does have its dangers.
"We
try to make the distribution points be in areas that are benign.
"The
division assesses all the population areas, and where people more
most needy we will obviously put distribution points into those,
whether they are benign or not."
| LINKS |
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Owen Bennett Jones reports from the ship Sir Galahad in the
difficulties of distributing aid in southern Iraq. 29
March 2003
The first ship bringing humanitarian aid to Iraq is delayed
for a further 24 hours because of the discovery of two mines
in the waterway. 27 March 2003
Depot
to desert: feeding the supply line
A warehouse on a Bicester military base supplies troops in
the Gulf with everything from tents to spoons. 26
March 2003
British aid agencies could be weeks away from getting emergency
medical supplies into Iraq, an aid worker fears. 26
March 2003
The Oxford-based aid agendy establishes refugee camps along
the borders of Iraq. 21 March 2003
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