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ZABUL, Afghanistan- Governor of the Zabul province, Al-Haj Mohammed Ashraf Naseri, stood alongside representatives from 2nd Squadron , 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, the Provincial Reconstruction Team, and coalition partners from Combined Team Zabul Friday, August 6, as they walked through the small village of Shinkay to survey the damage caused by the recent storm.
According to local government reports, hundreds of citizens have been adversely affected by the flood waters. The effects of the recent storm could be seen most at the Shinkay Bazaar. The bazaar is an economic lifeline to the district. Many people from outlying villages gather at the bazaar to conduct business. The most damage could be found on the north side of the bazaar where entire sections of walls had collapsed. Approximately 70 percent of the shopkeepers reported losing some or all of their merchandise. Since most shopkeepers are renting space at the bazaar, this loss will make it difficult for them to pay their rent and support their families. Recognizing the needs of its people, the Afghan Government is working to provide the much needed supplies for the relief effort.
Troopers from 2nd Squadron have been assisting the district Chief, the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police Forces in providing food and supplies to those affected by the flood.
“We help by providing food,” Scher said. “And we help facilitate their meetings as they decide how to react to these flood issues,” said Capt. Adam Scher, Commander of Dog Company, 2SCR. “We are putting the ANA, the ANP and the Governor up front on this effort.”
“This is a great opportunity for the people to see how their government and security forces are coming together to respond to their needs,” he said.
The governor wasted no time in discussing plans with the PRT on how best to aid the people of Shinkay.
“This will be a great project,” Naseri said. “We need to supply some of the shop keepers to enable them to do business and make a proper assessment of how much they have lost.”
The Afghan government will work closely with Coalition Forces to ensure the needs of the people are met. Currently the PRT and GIRoA are working on several possible plans of action to insure the villages will be better protected from floods in the future. Among these ideas is the establishment of a check dam system and placement of stone gabions.
Stone gabions are chain metal boxes filled with stones. These are placed end to end to form a four to six foot high wall along the riverbank. These structures last about three seasons and can protect long stretches of river from flooding.
Another possible solution being considered is a check dam system. A check dam system is a series of small dams that will slow the flow of water in an area and help raise the water table. When placed in strategic locations, these dams will pool the flow of water increase the water table, allowing for shallower wells and richer soil.
This is just one example of how GIRoA is working for the people of Afghanistan to improve their way of life.
| Date Taken: | 08.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2010 03:38 |
| Story ID: | 54506 |
| Location: | SHIN KAY, AF |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Governor Inspects Damage in Shin Kay, by SGT Gerald Wilson and SSG Audrey Santana, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
