Two Months Later: Iraqi City Still Recovering From Bomb Blast
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs by Pfc. Justin Naylor 08.29.2009
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, KIRKUK, Iraq – Life is beginning to return to normal on the streets of Taza, Iraq, after a car bomb devastated the primarily Turkish city in Kirkuk province, in late June.
Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the deputy commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was welcomed by Taza city mayor, Talib, and street vendors alike Aug. 24, as he came to see how the city has continued its recovery.
According to Talib, the city has running water, electricity and functional sewers again. Many businesses have reopened their doors, and a large number of the people who were living in tents have moved out to stay with relatives.
Although things are going well, the mayor said residents of the city still need help.
Lt. Col. Hugh McNeely, the deputy commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, was welcomed by Taza city mayor, Talib, and street vendors alike Aug. 24, as he came to see how the city has continued its recovery.
According to Talib, the city has running water, electricity and functional sewers again. Many businesses have reopened their doors, and a large number of the people who were living in tents have moved out to stay with relatives.
Although things are going well, the mayor said residents of the city still need help.
"We need a lot of goods," he said. "The city still needs to provide for the victims of the attack and it needs help to do it."
After the attack, the city relied heavily on donations and support from the government of Iraq, various non-government organizations and 2nd BCT but, recently, supplies have dwindled.
At one point soon after the attack, they actually had too much and were losing some perishable goods, said McNeely. Now, supply levels have dropped and the people need further assistance.
"As long as you have people in the tent city, and their houses aren't rebuilt, there is a requirement to provide for them," he continued.
One way the GoI has pledged to support the victims of the attack is through grants and payments to rebuild their homes, repair business and replace goods lost or destroyed.
Talib said he had recently submitted more than 400 applications to the GoI regarding these payments, and he expects that they will be paid fairly quickly.
"This will allow them to get back on their feet," said McNeely.
After speaking with the Talib, McNeely visited several reopened businesses along the market street in Taza.
In recent weeks, 2nd BCT has delivered several micro-grants to businesses in the area to pay for damages and purchase new supplies.
"Obviously, many people lost a lot in the attack," said McNeely. "This is an infusion of cash that helps them rebuild their businesses."
Taza has also constructed a new burial site and monument to honor those who lost their lives during the attack.
"They [Taza residents] took a temporary grave site and made it into a very fitting monument," said McNeely. "It's very nice, very well done."
Although there is much that still needs to be rebuilt, Taza is making progress, and McNeely and the others who visited were excited to see it.
"The city is functioning, the stores are open, and the people are going on with their lives," said McNeely.
Associated Images
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