2nd BCT helps Kurdish village get back on its feet
By Spc. Sean Kimmons, 25th ID (L) Public Affairs
RADAR, Iraq -- Funds from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's Commander Emergency Relief Program recently paid for two construction projects that stand out from the damaged structures and tents of this Kurdish village.The Kirkuk-based Sinur Company was awarded $82,000 for the construction of government and municipal buildings in Radar, which are scheduled to be completed in June. Other projects that include a clinic, school, generator, and water pump and tank system for Radar are pending.
"This is the very start of the rebuilding process," said 1st Lt. Robert Elzer, a fire direction officer from 2nd Platoon "Outlaws" of Battery C, Task Force 2-11 Field Artillery. "There are 76 other villages like Radar in the Shwan district and about 50 of them have been destroyed by the Iraqi Army."Elzer and Capt. Deron Haught, commander of Forward Operating Base Altun Kapri, are responsible for acquiring funds and managing the infrastructure projects in Radar that is the capital of the Shwan District. In the future, they will lend out their support to the other villages in the district.
Throughout the 1980s, the Iraqi Army kicked the Kurdish people out of this district. Now with the old Iraqi Army gone, the Kurds are returning home.
"Everybody who was originally kicked out of this area wants to come back," Elzer said. "We have an estimation of about 20,000 to 30,000 people who have the intention of moving back into this area."
This is the main reason CERP funds were established for the Radar infrastructure, so when Kurds settle back here it will be an easy transition for them.
"We are helping a lot of people who were treated badly over the last 20 or 30 years," Elzer said. "The CERP money is a great tool because we can make a big impact in the local districts."
Ali Mohammed Ahmed, a Radar villager, expressed his gratitude toward the Coalition during Haught and Elzer's recent visit to Radar.
"We feel that they have rescued Iraq as a whole and they are supporting the community here," Ahmed said. "We depend upon them."
To further assist Radar villagers, the Sinur Co. hired all of its unskilled labor force from the village.
"They employed 100 local laborers for the two construction projects," Elzer said. "It's a win, win situation for the village. It supports their local government and puts money in the pockets of the locals."
The United Nations and Non-Governmental Organizations are also assisting the village by providing food and tents to the displaced Kurds.
In almost three months the "Outlaws" have had 30 projects approved for about $300,000 to help build up the Iraqi infrastructure.
