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By 1st Lt. Robert C. J. Parry
KABUL, Afghanistan - A team of soldiers from the California Army National Guard's 40th Infantry Division Agribusiness Development Team joined Afghan border police and an International Security Assistance Force task force to bring relief supplies and assistance to the people of Daridam Village in eastern Afghanistan's Marawara District, Kunar province.
An Afghan-led, force of more than 700 Afghan and ISAF security forces pushed a large number of Taliban fighters out of the area during a fierce fight a few weeks ago, leaving the residents in need of assistance.
Following a shura with the Marawara District sub-governor and Daridam village elders, ADT soldiers accompanied by ABP went to the village to begin rebuilding the agriculture-based economy.
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. John A. Hanson, the ADT first sergeant, led a team to make temporary repairs to a water pipe which supplies the village with water. Meanwhile, Sergeants Scott Flynn and Jason Stevens led a group of ABP and soldiers on a patrol inside the village to assess the health of the local livestock and talk to residents about their needs and concerns.
Flynn and Stevens found that the village's livestock suffer from malnutrition and parasites, both of which are common in the province.
They also assessed a local watershed area, which is subject to periodic flooding that damages crops, and began developing a plan to correct the problem.
"The people of Daridam have obviously been through a lot after having their village occupied by the Taliban," said Flynn, an ADT agronomist whose civilian job is with the U.S. Forest Service in northern California.
"We were able to talk to a few villagers during our patrol, and they told us they want to start planting," said Flynn, a scientist who specializes in using plants for food, fuel, feed and fiber. "Our work will help them do that," he said.
Before departing, police and soldiers delivered agriculture supplies to ensure the village can increase the productivity of their fields and livestock. Among the supplies, were high-quality animal feed, anti-parasite medication, nutritional supplements, high-quality seed, and tools such as pick-axes and shovels.
"Daridam is one of the better areas of Kunar province in terms of its agriculture capabilities," said Stevens, who when not deployed is a horticulturalist at President Thomas Jefferson's estate in Virginia.
"The supplies we delivered will help them recover more quickly," he added.
In addition to the supplies, the ADT has coordinated with contractors for additional repairs to irrigation systems. The Afghan Veterinarians Association will also visit Daridam to vaccinate livestock and start a program for a self-sufficient poultry business for the village.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2010 11:32 |
| Story ID: | 52674 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 304 |
| Downloads: | 218 |
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