Posted on 05/15/2010 8:59:09 AM PDT by SandRat
For the first time in more than a year, southern Baluchi Valley residents have been able to speak with Afghan Government representatives about their local needs.
The discussion was made possible by the increased level of security delivered by Operation Jenub Fayda, a partnership between 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) and Afghan National Army (ANA) 4th Brigade, which concluded just ten days before.
Commanding Officer of the Brisbane-based MTF-1, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain said that the efforts of MTF-1 and ANA soldiers in the southern Baluchi Valley have directly contributed to greater community engagement with the Afghan Government.
"We facilitated a shura recently in the southern Baluchi Valley that involved about 50 community leaders, tribal elders, Afghan Government officials and representatives from Australian Government agencies such as AusAID," Lieutenant Colonel Blain said.
"This was the first time in more than twelve months that the Afghan Government was able to meet with leaders of this particular community to discuss education, health, security and public works in their area."
"That we were able to bring them together just ten days after Operation Jenub Fayda concluded was only possible thanks to the efforts of MTF-1 soldiers and their ANA counterparts in improving the security situation."
The shura proved a great success, with many of the discussions leading to agreement by the participants in the key areas of security, public health and education, and public works. "Uruzgan's Interim Governor, Khoday Rahim, seemed to strike a common chord with many of the local leaders keen to discuss community needs for improved security and the development of community health centres and schools," Lieutenant Colonel Blain said.
"The Provincial Police Chief also spoke to the shura and committed to providing an Afghan National Police presence in the community to help maintain an increased level of security – the people seemed to respond well to that," he said.
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