The Flintlock Exercise is an annual event among US, African, and allied counterterrorism forces that has taken place since 2005. Hosted by nations from across Africa’s Sahel region, the exercise builds capacity and collaboration among US and regional security forces to protect civilian populations and combat violent extremism. Spirit of America has been supporting Flintlock since 2014. Our support for Flintlock 2017 will be our most robust effort to date.

This year’s exercise, hosted by Chad, consists of tactical training, humanitarian assistance, and community outreach events across multiple countries and involves participants from not only Africa and the US but also Europe and Canada.

Spirit of America’s support to 2017 Flintlock efforts consists of a number of initiatives.

First, we are funding an International Women’s Leadership Forum in N’Djamena focused on reinforcing women’s roles in security, civil society, and business. You can learn more about this event and contribute to the effort here.

(Left) Women from various walks of life come together at the Women’s Leadership Forum to discuss issues that are important to them and start a national conversation about women’s rights and equality. (Right) The Moussoro Tribal Leaders’ Engagement allows members of the community to address local issues directly with top Chadian government and military leaders as well as the US Ambassador and her staff.

Additionally, with your help, we are supporting two community outreach events in partnership with US special operations teams. One, held in the city of Moussoro, will bring together tribal leaders, Chadian military representatives, and officials from the American and Chadian governments to discuss ways to counter violent extremism and protect their communities. The second event is in the village of Fizigui and focuses on targeted humanitarian assistance to a large group of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

(Left) Nearly 800 displaced people currently live in makeshift huts in Fizigui, lacking adequate access to food, water, electricity, and government services. (Right) Supporting efforts to help sick and disabled children is critically important and demonstrates US values, commitment, and friendship with the Chadian people.

Finally, SoA is supporting humanitarian assistance efforts to an orphanage and a school for the neediest inhabitants of N’Djamena, sick and handicapped children. These events, planned and executed in collaboration with Special Operations Command – Africa and the US Embassy, are a continuation of existing efforts and are intended to protect the most vulnerable, demonstrate US commitment and compassion for the people of Chad, and increase Chadian resilience.

Your generosity and support make it possible for Spirit of America to provide this much-needed assistance to the people of Chad and add to the already substantial impact of the Flintlock 2017 exercise.