By 1st Lt. Gregory Garbin
First published in
SFOR Informer#124, October 17, 2001
The small village of Lastavica ("swallow,"
in the local language), located approximately 20 kilometres in
the south of Nevesinje, has been equipped with one of the basics
of everyday life: running water. A short story with long-lasting
consequences.
Lastavica - Lastavica is a village situated in the
French Battle Group's (FrBG) Area of Responsibility. Its situation
drew the attention of the 1st French Marine Regiment within the
frame of its CIMIC activities.
Indeed, originally, the inhabitants of the village had to walk
more than 700 metres in the surrounding hills in order to get
fresh water from a spring flowing upstream there.
The
sappers of the FrBG - 14th Mandate - were then required to perform
two tasks: to draw off the spring water, and to build a reservoir
and a watering place close to the village.
The first task had almost been fully carried out, but the reservoir
was unfortunately not completely erected due to a lack of time.
So, a few days after arriving in Mostar, the FrBG 15th Mandate
- comprised of the 27th BCA (Mountain Infantry Battalion), one
reconnaissance squadron from the 4th RCh (Cavalry regiment) and
one platoon from the 2nd REG (Engineer Regiment from the Legion
Etrangere) - resumed the job.
After three weeks of work alongside the local population, the
legionnaires, under the supervision of the CIMIC team of the FrBG,
had completed the building of the reservoir in the vicinity of
the village. They had entirely built a second reservoir above
the hamlet, thus enabling a direct water supply to the dwellings.
In light of the coming winter, the French CIMIC team also took
the opportunity to deliver various goods (mainly clothes and blankets)
as well as toys, which were naturally immediately welcomed by
the children of Lastavica.
Related link:
Nations of SFOR: France
CIMIC