Posted on 05/08/2008 4:46:19 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD — Providing services needed to sustain a city and the inhabitants within is a daunting task the Government of Iraq is working to solve.
In neighborhoods where conflict has reigned, many of the day-to-day activities that keep a city’s heart pumping have been clogged and, in some cases, stopped completely.
The recently opened Civil Military Operations Center at Joint Security Station Sadr City is working with the local government to repair essential services to the residents of northeastern Baghdad while Iraqi Army and Coalition forces work to restore security there.
“The CMOC was established to facilitate civil military operations activities between Coalition forces, Government of Iraq ministries, Iraqi Army, local authorities as well as non-government organizations and international organizations,” said Maj. Brian Horine, the civil affairs officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Operating out of a concrete building on the edge of Sadr City, the CMOC is run by MND-B and Iraqi Army Soldiers as well as members of the local government and an embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team.
The ePRT helps the CMOC engage and empower the government through pre-existing relationships in the region.
“We know we have the contacts in the community that we’ve worked with before in Sadr City. They’re familiar with meeting us. We have contact, and when we have a representative in the CMOC, we’re contacting the local government as well as the higher-up portions of the Baghdad government to come to the CMOC and coordinate,” said Lt. Col. Dennis Kennedy, a deputy team leader with the ePRT.
The ePRT has teams that focus on governance, economic development, rule of law, health and education.
“Initially, we’re looking as governance, but we’re going to try to rotate all of our teams through there to make sure that we’re effectively engaging,” said Kennedy, a Hampton, Va., native.
Since beginning operations in late April, the CMOC has helped restore and repair essential services such as trash pick up, sewage line repairs and running water to northeastern Baghdad. Additionally, the CMOC helps to coordinate cooperative medical engagements in which Iraqi Army medics open their doors to residents for treatment and humanitarian assistance handouts. The handouts typically consist of pre-packed meals that will feed a family of five one meal and bottles of water.
“If someone has a concern about essential services, they can go to that ministry (at the CMOC),” said Horine, a Phoenix native.
The Iraqi Assistance Center operates in conjunction with the CMOC and helps the Iraqi people by paying property damage and condolence claims as well as help families locate relatives that are currently detained.
Since opening its doors in late April at JSS Sadr City, the IAC has paid 10 claims and seen an increase in walk-in visitors from 25 to 30 a week to more than 280 in 12 days.
Since beginning operations with only two members, the CMOC staff has swelled to more than 40. Slowly, essential services are being restored to this region, which point toward restoring essential needs and services that many take for granted.
“The CMOC has a very diverse group working toward a common goal,” Horine said.
(Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO)
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