The US Military Has a Heart That Gives Back to Communities –Says MIST Team (June 29, 2012)

July 17, 2012

MIST Director Ian Edgerly and his Deputy, Jose Oliveras briefing the press on projects they’ve accomplished in the country

The U.S. Embassy, Abuja hosted a press briefing on June 27, 2012, to highlight the humanitarian activities of the Media Information Support Team (MIST) of the U.S. Army, to Nigerian civilian populations. Giving back to communities is a core military tradition of the United States Armed Forces.

MIST Director Ian Edgerly and his Deputy, Jose Oliveras briefed the press on projects they’ve accomplished in the country.

Working through Nigerian organisations like the Benue State Ministry of Health, Nigerian Navy and Centre for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP), the team has been able to reach over 1000 people, providing primarily preventive medicine, testing for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria; and basic dental care.

Other partners the team has worked with include the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army, with focus on capacity building, serving as amplifiers for these organizations.

Answering a question on why should the U.S. Army be involved in civilian humanitarian endeavours in Nigeria, the Embassy’s Information Officer, Deborah MacLean, said “The MIST team is here serving the U.S. government, working with Nigerian partners in rendering assistance to the Nigerian people where access to such assistance are either non-existent, or limited because the U.S. Army has a tradition for giving back to communities.”