European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 14, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Building with people and dollars in Northern Iraq by sue Palumbo Mediterranean Bureau fifteen minutes of Fame. The kurd had theirs Back when Saddam Hussein fright Ned them out of what was left of their Homes and sent them scrambling for safety in the mountains of Turkey to face a Bone chilling Winter with Little food and no shelter. The scene tugged at the world s Heartstrings and loosened everyone s purse strings. Countries and churches Charity groups and do Good cars sent food supplies and Money. But that was three hard Yean ago and now the Money has Long been spent the spotlight dimmed. The world s attention is focused elsewhere but the plight of the people of Northern Iraq is far from Over. Most of the Ngo s nongovernmental Chanty organizations have gone Home said Robert Blincoe the Shako representative for Northwest medical teams International a  group providing medical and veterinarian help for Northern Iraq. There used to be More than 40 of them now there Are less than a dozen. They defined their Mission to assist the refugees. Once the kurd were out of the mountains most of the funding dried  but the business of rebuilding for the hundreds of thousands who lost their Homes and their livelihoods goes on. Not everyone has forgotten. A coalition of american British French and turkish military troops keeps an Ever watchful Vigil Over the skies beyond the 36th parallel to ensure Hussein s military keeps its distance. Farther North a Security zone 160miles wide and 50 Miles deep stretches across North Ern Iraq serving As a Haven for those who want to return to their villages and Start Over. Again. Some of these people have rebuilt their Homeland villages seven times said Scott Portman pro Gram director for the . Office of foreign disaster assistance in Northern Iraq. Hussein stopped destroying villages when he invaded Kuwait but he has t made it easy for them to Start Over. It s up to us the coalition to level the playing  operation provide Comfort phase Iii is the Penname for the combined task Force s coalition efforts that continue to encompass humanitarian con Cerns As Well As military ones. In fiscal year 1993, 543 Gary Miner residents of acne Iraq wave Farewell to members of operation provide Comfort s coordination Center. Congress appointed the . Element of the combined task Force executive agents of a $43 million humanitarian appropriation and approved another$38 million in fiscal 94. The office of foreign disaster assistance does the actual contracting for projects and supplies through outside organizations but the signature on the Check belongs to the combined task Force representative. When the need for a specific project has been de fined either by Portman Relief workers villagers Orthe organizations Portman sends out a request for bids. Contracts arc awarded based on Cost involved prior Success rate and feasibility of completion. The  embargo prohibits Trade Inland out of Iraq but those living in Northern Iraq Are hit with a double whammy. Portman said Hussein has set up his own embargo against them by cutting off their electricity and refusing to allow the food fuel or medical supplies to reach them. Humanitarian Relief trucks loaded with supplies Are the favored targets of Hussein s supporters because they Are considered Low risk but High gain. On sept. 26, a  truck carrying .-bought supplies was bombed destroying thousands of dollars Worth of antibiotics and other medical sup plies said air Force col. David Pittro intelligence officer with provide Comfort. Building a Road within the Security zone and bypassing iraqi held territory outside of it is one of the major efforts undertaken by one of the no government organizations. Caritas a internationally funded Charity was contracted to provide building materials and the expertise needed to help villagers reconstruct. Cemen foundations Are All that is left of entire villages. Some Don t even have that. Families with More than five members Are give material to build a two room House with a bathroom. Those with less than five rate one room. Families Are expected to build their own Homes of traditional Cement blocks and wooden poles with Only minimal supervision from Agency supervisors. More than 10,000 houses have been rebuilt since May 1992, As have several dozen schools and health clinics. People Are going to need outside assistance until they can go Back to their villages in safety and grow their own food raise their animals and be totally self sufficient Portman said. Those involved in the Relief efforts Are Adaman that operation provide Comfort is succeeding. These people Are very grateful Blincoe  still remember the food dropping from the sky that kept them from starving in the Snow. Northern Iraq is like a baby Bird in a nest too Early to leave alone but one Dayley la be on their feet  Sis of Mill left a Man separates dust from Rice kernels in Northern Iraq. Above kurdish guards ride military coordination Center land Cruiser through the Countryside. Is sue Palu Rabo november 14, 1s93 sunday pages