O’Dea confirms families can send Christmas parcels to loved ones in Chad

The Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea TD is pleased to confirm that families in Limerick can send Christmas parcels to their loved ones serving in Chad this Christmas.

“In the past problems arose with sending family parcels due to the lack of a postal system in the African country and space restrictions on re-supply flights, which I know frustrated and disappointed many families. This year however I can confirm that I have ensured a definite facility is put in place which will see 420 boxes being sent to the men and women of the 101st Infantry Battalion who will be spending Christmas serving their country away from their families and friends. The members of the Battalion are drawn mainly from the 1st Southern Brigade Barracks’ in Limerick, Cork, Clare, Clonmel, Kildare and Kilkenny with 66 personnel serving from Limerick alone.”

“The Defence Forces are in the process of distributing to families the standard parcel box (shoe-box size) which must be used. I urge families to return their parcels to the Defence Forces as soon as possible as they will be shipped by air freight to Chad on the first week of December, to arrive in Goz Beida in the third week of December.”

“It is important to note that no perishable goods should be sent as the parcels will take 21 days approx from handover to reach our troops in Camp Ciara. They will travel through 40+ degree temperatures for 4-5 days of this journey.”

“The burden of a soldier’s life falls hardest on families and friends. Their love, support and sacrifice enables our troops to serve overseas. Our personnel bring the greatest honour to the Irish Flag and Ireland’s reputation for peacemaking across the globe. They are beacons of hope for so many and this is most evident in Chad where they are protecting refugees and ensuring vital humanitarian aid gets through to those fleeing the carnage and devastation in Darfur. I know the arrangements we have put in place to send parcels will be warmly welcomed by the families of our troops and I hope it will provide some comfort at this time of separation,” concluded Minister O’Dea.