Photo By Sgt. Zach Zuber | Iraqi government officials and U.S. forces gather at the entrance to the newly opened...... read more read more
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DIYALA, Iraq – Centuries ago, Diyala province, Iraq, was part of the cradle of civilization, a bustling region with a thriving economy embodied in the vibrant oranges, pomegranates and vegetables harvested in the farmlands and soon after sold in the marketplaces.
These days, an individual would need a vivid imagination to picture the flourishing past amid the modern-day drought and heaps of burning garbage along the country side. Seeing this, local government officials have recognized that the current trash disposal process must change.
Together with the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team and 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, the leaders of Diyala province, commemorated the opening of the Baqubah Landfill on Earth Day, April 22. These organizations have begun a new initiative in the provincial capital, Baqubah, to promote proper waste disposal procedures and to generate better sanitation service.
"It is very important for us to create these resources for the cities and the people," said Haider Kadhum Hosien Aziz, directorate general of municipalities for Diyala province. "With proper trash and sewage networks, we can clean up the area and have a healthier, more beautiful city."
The landfill is considered only one component of a larger project dedicated to shifting the local citizens' perception of trash disposal beginning with a new network of community trash and recycling bins placed throughout the city. Soldiers from 1/37th FA have collaborated with members of the PRT to establish contracts to hire local employees and equipment to institute a proper disposal process where garbage is first placed in dumpsters that can then be hauled to the landfill.
"We will now be trying to encourage people to use bags for their trash, and to use the new bins so it can be taken by trucks the PRT gave us to this landfill," said Aziz. "This will be very important for people to transfer from what we used to know to a more modern way now and for the future."
Throughout each step of the process, Diyala provincial leaders, the PRT and 1/37th FA have enabled a change in the community mentality so the citizens will take part in the new system. The people have used roads and yards as dumpsters so long, changing that habit will be a challenge to overcome. In order to do this they have offered educational materials to local leaders, including the Imams who broadcast to a wide audience daily.
"The education process has been ongoing since we have been here," said Capt. Rick Helton, commander of Alpha Battery, 1/37th FA. "We are letting people know the benefits of keeping streets and waterways clean, and what can happen if they don't."
The focus on education will help people understand the potential health concerns they face if their current habits do not change, said Aziz. Creating a healthier environment may also encourage more people to visit the city. It has also generated interest among community leaders in several other large cities that would benefit from an upgrade in utility services.
"It has been a good starting point just to get this first one opened up," said Helton. "It has garnered a lot of interest in several cities, such as Khanaqin, Khalis, and Muqdadiyah, and is something we will definitely work towards there."
If they can continue to garner support with the surrounding areas, the rest of Diyala province could soon see a significant upgrade in its sanitation utilities. Habits are often difficult to break, but with help from the people, the entire region has the potential to once again achieve international recognition for its beauty.
| Date Taken: | 04.22.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2010 12:42 |
| Story ID: | 48672 |
| Location: | DIYALA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 490 |
| Downloads: | 450 |
This work, Cleaning up the streets in Baqubah, by SGT Zach Zuber, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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