American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2001 -- In addition to
attacking the Taliban regime and terrorist facilities in Afghanistan
today, U.S. air operations include the delivery of some 37,000
Humanitarian Daily Rations to Afghan refugees.
The daily ration was specifically designed by the Defense
Department for use in emergencies to feed and sustain moderately
malnourished people until more traditional feeding methods are
restored.
The meals are nutritious, culturally sensitive and cost- effective
and have been praised by the United Nations and the international
relief community. Since their first use in 1993, they have emerged
as a significant and lasting contributor to the fight against
hunger.
The rations are pre-packaged,
ready-to-eat foods that provide an entire day's nutritional
requirements.
Each ration packet contains two main vegetarian meals based heavily
on lentils, beans and rice, and also complementary items like bread,
a fruit bar, a fortified biscuit, peanut butter and spices. Beans
with tomatoes, beans and rice, and bean salad are entrees among the
five available menus.
Humanitarian rations come in bright yellow packaging for easy
identification on the ground when air-dropped. They "float" down to
populations with no parachutes.
The packets are marked with the
words, "A Food Gift From the People of the United States of
America," and include illustrations depicting how to eat the foods.
Providing about 2,200 calories, each ration packet costs about $4
and has a shelf life of 18 to 24 months.
Hundreds of thousands of the rations were first air-dropped over
isolated Bosnian enclaves on Nov. 22, 1993, as part of the
humanitarian relief effort Operation Provide Promise. Since then,
more than 8 million of the rations have been distributed to refugees
worldwide, including in Iraq, Cuba, Bosnia, Rwanda and Haiti.
A typical Humanitarian Daily
Ration packet. The yellow, plastic pack is designed to "float" to
the ground once dropped by transport aircraft.
The packet contains meals that can be eaten by virtually anyone,
regardless of culture or religion. The United States began
delivering 37,000 rations to Afghan refugees Oct. 7, 2001.
