Nuristan PRT assesses Afghan opinion in Nurgaram

NURGARAM, AFGHANISTAN

12.04.2010

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

By U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard Simonsen

The civil affairs team from the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team visited Nurgaram District to assess the opinions of local Afghans on issues of security, governance and infrastructure capacity Nov. 29.

U.S. Army Capt. Jyan Bevalian of Sunnyvale, Calif., spoke with several people in the village.

“I wanted to introduce ourselves and talk about why we are here,” Bevalian said. “I wanted to talk to them about their concerns and ask them if the district development system working is for them.”

Bevalian spoke with Mohammad Hassan, an employee at one of the local hotels in the village. Hassan agreed that people should be able to bring their concerns to village elders who would then bring those issues to the district leaders.

But that doesn’t always happen.

“There is some work to do in the governance area,” Bevalian said. “I am going to work directly with the line ministry directors to focus on good governance to help the people connect with their leaders. That is really what we want to do.”

On the topic of security, Hassan was more positive. “So far, everything is good,” Hassan said.

Fazol Rahim, the village baker, agreed with Hassan. “Security is fine in the district,” he said. “Life is easy. I have my bakery and no complaints.”

The PRT also handed out copies of the Voice of Freedom newspaper. It is a publication produced biweekly by the International Security Assistance Force in English, Dari and Pashto.

• Date Taken: 12.04.2010
• Date Posted: 12.03.2010 18:45
• Story ID: 61314
• Location: NURGARAM, AF