About the client
The international community has committed significant resources and personnel to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan. While the initial focus has been on Kabul, efforts have continuously spread to the provinces of Afghanistan. Thousands of international peacekeepers and aid workers work under difficult conditions in challenging locations.

Background
Working in developing and post-conflict settings is not your average nine-to-five job. Considerable sacrifices are made in such conditions. People are separated from families, working long and strenuous hours, endangering health, and continuously exposing themselves to security threats. Sometimes even the climate is a tough adversary.

Gardez is one of the locations that is frequently snowed in. The winter months from November to January are extremely challenging for all projects and operations.

The challenge
Imagine a valley 2,500 meters above sea level, hidden behind mountains with an altitude of up to 3,000 meters high. The only connection is a narrow and winding road made for donkeys and horses. It is one of the toughest winters in Afghanistan, with heavy snowfall cutting off all access to the valley. Now imagine dozens of peacekeepers on a mission in the very same valley, running out of food supplies and equipment.

Well, that's exactly what RA was faced with. And we were asked to provide emergency supplies to their camp, that had been snowed in for days and unable to receive any support from the outside.

The solution
RA International accepted the challenge and immediately arranged everything needed for a successful expedition. The nature of the task did not allow us to fail. People were waiting for our help and we had to find a way to overcome the snow and the freezing temperatures. The best and most enduring vehicles were equipped with adequate safety equipment and additional tools and materials to ensure that the convoy would be able to move in deep snow and ice. Our network of local contacts provided us with frequent updates on the weather and road conditions along the route.

The result
We managed to get through! Thanks to a thorough planning and the skills of our experienced drivers and support staff, we were able to do the impossible and provide the food and equipment so badly needed by the camp.

Situations like this have reasserted us that we can design, plan and implement projects successfully even under the most severe circumstances. We'll deliver. Regardless!