Evergreen plans to airlift supplies to Afghanistan

By Amalie Young

Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND - Evergreen International Aviation is planning to fly a cargo plane loaded with blankets, tents and medical supplies to Afghanistan.

Portland-based relief agencies Northwest Medical Teams and Mercy Corps will help fill the plane with donated supplies. Northwest Medical Teams and Save the Children will distribute them to the needy in Afghanistan.

Plans were in flux Friday, not because of political problems, but because the country's infrastructure remains fragile, said Barbara Agnew, spokeswoman for Northwest Medical Teams.

"We want to participate," she said. "We're waiting for answers. We need to see if they could land. And if they could unload the supplies."

Evergreen Aviation said the flight, planned to depart Portland on Dec. 26, would land in Kabul. But Marianne Mason, who is organizing the flight, said officials were "awaiting notification that the airport is secure for landing."

Agnew said the airlift also could instead land in Uzbekistan or Tajikistan.

If the landing site in Kabul is not secured in time, departure of the so-called Winter Relief Flight would be rescheduled for mid-January, according to Evergreen Aviation.

Agnew said five Northwest Medical teams had entered Afghanistan since the airstrikes began. Each carried in about 50 pounds of medical supplies, including syringes, antibiotics and bandages, she said.

The airlift would allow them to fill about 22 pallets, a cargo shipment of more than 15,000 pounds that is worth about $350,000, she said.

McMinnville-based Evergreen Aviation is the largest private cargo and aviation company in the world. Founder and CEO Delford "Del" Smith, is in a quiet way one of Oregon's leading philanthropists, donating millions annually. Smith led the effort three years ago to fly two 747s filled with donated medical supplies from Portland to Kosovo, and helped underwrite visits to Portland from the Dalai Lama and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Evergreen Aviation's humanitarian and relief services section is organizing the shipment. They are asking for donations from U.S. companies, churches and citizens, especially for children's shoes, boots, socks, gloves and warm outer wear. Cash donations also are accepted.

Mason said Evergreen Aviation is raising about $200,000 for fuel and landing fees and would cover the estimated $600,000 cost of the 20-plus hour flight.

"Our goal is to bring relief to the Afghan people as they face a cold winter without the supplies necessary to ensure their survival," a statement on the company's Web site said.