Giving a voice to change: Meeting gives outlet to Fahama leaders

Photo By Staff Sgt. April Campbell | Village sheiks and other leaders from Fahama, a region north of Baghdad, speak about the struggles facing the people of their villages to Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, during a meeting at Baghdad Island, a former amusement park in the region, Jan. 12.  

IRAQ

01.18.2008

Story by Pfc. April Campbell 

27th Public Affairs Detachment

Pfc. April Campbell
Multi-National Division – Baghdad Public Affairs

FAHAMA, Iraq — Before taking steps to solve a problem, it is beneficial to find out exactly what the problem is.

It is no different in Iraq where people in some areas face many similar day-to-day struggles. For coalition soldiers to better work with the Iraqis, listening and communicating with each other is a common first step.

Sheiks and other leaders from villages in Fahama, a region north of Baghdad, voiced their concerns during a meeting with Soldiers from both, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 360th Civil Affairs Brigade, at Baghdad Island, a former amusement park in the region, Jan. 12.

The meeting was the first step in a show of good faith by coalition forces who had not been in this area in approximately two years, said Maj. Wesley Stewart, team leader for Civil Affairs Team 2, Company B, 422nd CA Bn., 360th CA Bde.

The Iraqis in attendance seemed interested in working with coalition forces to better their situation. They were not hesitant to contribute their thoughts to the topics at hand.

"They were receptive because they were here and they want to see what we can bring to the table and what we can offer them," said Stewart, a Virginia Beach, Va., native.

Capt. Enardo Collazo, Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., is charged with keeping Fahama secure. Collazo stated the meeting was a chance to let the area leaders know that the Soldiers want to help them overcome regional struggles.

"The purpose of the meeting was to submit my economic and security plans for the area and establish a committee between the sheiks and the local council in order to start the program," said Collazo, a Salinas, Puerto Rico, native.

Collazo's plan involves four phases. The first of which is to create working groups to help identify the basic needs of the local people. In the subsequent phases, the needs previously identified will be submitted to the civil affairs team who will assess the needs and design projects to be executed, he said.

During the meeting, leaders brought up several issues the people in their villages are currently struggling with. Their concerns concentrated on essential services such as electric power, fuel (mainly propane), clean water and water to irrigate agricultural areas.

"Some villages said they only have one or two hours (of electricity) per day," Collazo said. "In Baghdad, some areas are getting eight hours (per day)."

Without electricity, these Iraqis rely largely on propane for cooking and heating. They must travel out of their area, however, to acquire their propane.

In addition to these essential services the leaders also spoke about their struggle with unemployment and the need for security.

Initializing a concerned local citizens program, a volunteer force made up of the people of Fahama, would help provide jobs and improve the region's security, said Collazo.

While some of the sheiks tend to focus on the individual needs of the families in their villages, it is likely they will begin to branch out as those needs are met, Stewart said.

"They'll see that coalition forces are here to help them," he added, "(to) put them back on their feet and to empower them."

The meeting left him with a sense that he and his fellow Soldiers would be able to do a great deal to assist those of Fahama and give them a chance to improve their living situation, said Collazo.

"It's a special feeling," he added, "sitting with these people, hearing their concerns."

• Date Taken: 01.18.2008
• Date Posted: 01.18.2008 10:31
• Story ID: 15571
• Location: IQ