Afghanistan Diary (Oct 9 to 31, 2001)
10/31/2001 Update from northern Afghanistan Dr. Laws and Adrian Belic had to leave today for the U.S. Dr. Laws' foot was injured somehow and he would seek proper medical treatment upon his return. Belic, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, needed to return to his job in Australia and could no longer film for the team. Dr. Artis and Walter Ratterman were within 14 km of the front lines and can hear U.S. air strikes on Taliban positions. They planned to head into the mountains to see the refugee situation there. From what they had been told the refugees in the mountains were in a far worse situation. Dr. Artis said this was by far the toughest mission he had ever undertaken in his nearly 30 years of experience. The team distributed 15 tons of wheat yesterday, but an additional 45 tons of food were delayed at the border due to military traffic in the area. The mission will continue until these food items are delivered. The team had gotten very good international press coverage as they were the only NGO (non-governmental organization) working there. CBS, USA Today, NBC Nightly News and CNN have coverage of this mission. Freezing snows are about 4 weeks away, and the lives of tens of thousands of refugees are at risk. The team requested Tzu Chi's help with acquiring tents, as tents will save lives. The women and children are living on the ground with nothing between them and the elements. When the team moves into Panjshir Valley as they have been asked to by the United Front, they will be the only NGO in the area. They will be with the refugees as they cross battle lines at night to witness their plight. The team considers their personal risk worthwhile if they can get the message to the rest of the NGO community worldwide. The refugees will die if no more relief supplies reach them. Progress updates have been sporadic due to communications problems. 10/25/2001 Arrival in Afghanistan
10/24/2001 More change of delivery plan The visa problem was solved, and the team should enter Afghanistan tomorrow. The delivery plan was modified again due to the delays. The new destination is Khochabadine, a very small city that may not be shown on all maps. The city has about 150,000 refugees living in dire conditions. There, the team will purchase various food items available on the local market and distribute them along with the 15 tons of wheat purchased today. Dr. Laws has been very ill in the past 24 hours but he would continue on.	Dr. Artis shown with Quaidir Bashi buying 15 tons of wheat in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The team should meet this shipment at the Afghan border tomorrow. Dr. Artis and Commander Wadood, Senior Military Attaché, United Front, discussed the scope of their mission inside Northern Afghanistan and the security measures taken to protect the team and their relief materials while they are in the country. The United Front would support the mission 100%.
10/22/2001 Change of delivery plan The team had to modify the food delivery plan because the mountain passes were snowed in and the weather has kept helicopters on the ground.
10/20/2001 Visa problems and purchase of more food The team needed to apply for a new multiple-entry Tajik visa; they found they would be trapped if they used their current visas. Over 1300 journalists were trapped here, some for as long as three weeks. The Knightsbridge team purchased 60 tons of food and arranged for shipment further into Afghanistan than the UN has gone.
The above map shows two relief routes outlined in pink. The one on the top left shows the latest UN Food Program delivery into northern Afghanistan and the longer route on the right represents the Knightsbridge International / Tzu Chi / Afghanistan Relief Organization food delivery project. As the first NGO (non-governmental organization) scheduled to reach the area, Knightsbridge will deliver 60 tons of food 270 miles to Jebul Seraj, approximately 40 miles north of Kabul. Jebul Seraj has 80,000 new refugees due to fighting in Kabul.
10/19/2001 Arrival in Dushannbe,Tajikistan The Knightsbridge team revised its plan based on new information. Everyone was well and they were moving forward. 10/18/2001 Knightsbridge team granted diplomatic visas to Afghanistan
Dr. Artis and Dr. Laws thanked Ambassador Saad for his help.	Ambassador Mohammed Hasham Saad, Afgan Ambassador to The Republic of Uzbekistan, helped the Knightsbridge team obtain diplomatic visas to enter Afghanistan. When the team receives Tajik visas tomorrow, they will enter the country to meet the container of relief supplies.
10/16/2001 Knightsbridge team arrives in Tashkeng, Uzbekistan The Knightsbridge team consisting of Dr. Sir Edward Artis, Dr. Sir James Laws, Walter Ratterman and Adrien Belic (filmmaker) arrive in Uzbekistan. 10/11/2001 Knightsbridge International and Tzu Chi sign cooperation contract
Dr. Artis of Knightsbridge International visited Tzu Chi's San Fernando Valley, CA, office to sign the cooperation contract. Knightsbridge would deliver relief supplies provided by Tzu Chi directly to Afghan refugees. Afghanistan Relief Organization (ARO) will also assist with the project.	Tzu Chi and Knightsbridge would cooperate once again to aid Afghan people. From left: Tzu Chi overseas director Stephen Huang, founder of Knightsbridge International Dr. Sir Edward Artis, and vice president of Tzu Chi U.S.A. William Keh.
10/9/2001 Knightsbridge International requests assistance from Tzu Chi Dr. Sir Edward Artis, founder of Christian humanitarian organization Knightsbridge International, proposed partnership between Tzu Chi and Knightsbridge to deliver aid to Afghan refugees. The two organizations had already partnered previously on aid missions to Afganistan. 10/7/2001 The U.S. begins strikes on Afghanistan. Afghan people had been fleeing cities and towns in anticipation of U.S. strikes. Few Afghan refugees make use of pre-packaged meals dropped by U.S. planes because of fear that the Taliban would contaminate the food packets.