Talib, Iraq Citizens Recover From Terror

Iraqi Citizens Unify, Continue Recovery Following Terrorist Attack

Saturday, 04 July 2009 By Pfc. Justin Naylor 1st Cavalry Division

KIRKUK — "If terrorists knew this explosion would have unified Arabs, Turks, and Christians, they wouldn't have done it," said Mayor Talib of Taza, referring to a truck bomb attack here in June. "It has united us!" Representatives from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Kirkuk's Provincial Reconstruction Team traveled to Taza, June 27, to assist in the recovery. Capt. Nathan Jennings, a company commander with 2nd BCT, met with Talib. According to Jennings, the purpose of the visit was to assess the security situation in the city, deliver much needed water, and examine a tent city that was established using tents donated by the

Turkish government and several non-governmental organizations for displaced residents who lost their homes in the blast.

"The town has been feeding at least 3,000 people a day since the blast to accommodate the family members and friends who came to attend funerals," Jennings said. "We brought the water to make sure the visitors had enough."

Talib, who has worked on recovery efforts since the attack, said water lines leading to the destroyed homes have been temporarily repaired and water to the city has been restored.

The tent city was erected by the Iraqi Army in a field near the town. The Iraqi Soldiers will establish a field kitchen to feed the victims and a fence for additional security. According to Taza officials, the tents will also be furnished with furniture and already have electricity.

"The tents have electricity for a portion of the day and will have power 24 hours a day shortly," Talib said.

Chris Jennings, the Kirkuk PRT representative, offered his agencies assistance in the recovery as well.

"The PRT is here to help facilitate Taza's needs through the civilian sector," Jennings said.

With much of the debris removed from the blast site, reconstruction and rebuilding homes was top priority during the meeting.

"In the coming weeks, we can start looking at offering microgrants to help businesses that were damaged in the attack rebuild," Jennings said.

According to Talib, the families of those killed in the blast would receive 2 million Iraqi dinar and those wounded would receive 1 million Iraqi dinar, while the Government of Iraq has earmarked $5 million U.S. for rebuilding residential homes in Taza.

Talib, who also is on the reconstruction and humanitarian committee, said there was a plan to rebuild in place and that it would take up to a year to complete.