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    Soldiers promote essential services in Karadah

    Soldiers promote essential services in Karadah

    Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Christopher Soto, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer from New Haven, Conn.,...... read more read more

    RUSTAMIYAH, IRAQ

    07.09.2008

    Courtesy Story

    4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

    By Capt. Sean O'Brien
    4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

    FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq - Key civilian leaders and Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division met to discuss basic essential service issues in the Karadah District of Baghdad, July 9.

    Every week, Patriot Brigade Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment join a select committee of district council members and Baghdad beladiyah directors general as they meet to discuss how to maintain, operate and improve the city's services to its citizens.

    The organization's essential services committee consists of several district council members, including committee chairperson Ms. Yasmine Hadi Al-Hashimy. Lt. Col. Dennis Yates, 5th Bn., 25th FA commander from Chesterfield, N.J., always attends the meetings along with embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team members, non-lethal effects section personnel and members of the battalion's civil affairs team.

    "The opportunity to work with industry and coach the structure that will serve as the conduit for stability, governance and economics is very exciting," said Sgt. Christopher Soto, a civil affairs non-commissioned officer from New Haven, Conn., assigned to Company B, 418th Civil Affairs Battalion. "I am very happy to be doing this work."

    July 9, Soto met with the Karadah Iraqi Assistance Center Team Chief Laith Al-Obaidy. They discussed possible projects to help the economy and overall quality of life for the citizens of Karadah. Such projects include renovating a building to become the headquarters for a non-governmental organization called Al-Noor and the possible revitalization of a factory that could provide jobs for as many as 300 people, which would, in turn, sustain some 1,500 citizens, said Al-Obaidy. In addition, they discussed several smaller micro-grant projects that could provide up to $2,500 in aid for each qualifying business, explained Soto.

    Their conversation included discussions about the types of information the K-IAC collects and reports to the e-PRT, such as economic, fuel, food and essential services reports. These reports help gauge the health of the economy and effectiveness of services the city provides.

    The focus of the essential services committee meetings has come to be known as SWEAT-M; Sewer, Water, Electrical, Academic, Trash, and Medical. The committee is organized so there is a person in charge of overseeing each one of the six aspects of essential services with a committee chairperson overseeing all six. The same model is reproduced down to the two Neighborhood Advisory Council districts that make up the Karadah District.

    Often, the meetings revolve around solving problems each Muhalla faces concerning electricity, water and sewage. The committee is quick to identify any issues and work toward a quick resolution. They do so by working with the beladiyah DGs responsible for their respective SWEAT-M areas. The effects staff, e-PRT and civil affairs team are there to augment any services the beladiyah can provide.

    Issues affecting women in Karadah are also a major concern of the committee. Non-lethal effects officer 2nd Lt. Sherilyn Busby, a Waco, Texas native, is responsible for coordinating projects in 5th Bn., 25th FA Regt.'s operational environment. She meets with several Karadah women to discuss matters females typically handle in Iraq, such as health and education. Busby usually assists women who come to the K-IAC needing help. On any given day, she might handle anything from possibly providing micro-grants to arranging help for children with serious health issues.

    "I am so happy to be contributing to the health and welfare, and ultimately the future, of the women and children in the Karadah political district," said Busby "It is truly a vocation."

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 07.09.2008
    Date Posted: 07.14.2008 15:14
    Story ID: 21479
    Location: RUSTAMIYAH, IQ

    Web Views: 74
    Downloads: 57

    PUBLIC DOMAIN