FOB ECHO, Iraq
Eighty-nine projects worth more than $3.2 million dollars are currently underway or have been completed in Al Qadisiyah province since August of this year. In an effort to stimulate the local economy, which directly benefits Diwaniyah families, the majority of projects are contracted to local businessmen and local laborers in order to develop and keep the wealth in the area.Funding for all projects comes from the 11th MEU's Commander's Emergency Response Program, which is allocated to the Department of Defense by the U.S. Congress. Projects are aimed at repairing damage done last year during the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom and improving the quality of life for the people of Ad Diwaniyah. Many of the projects, however, are focusing on the restoring the city's run down infrastructure, a result of decades of neglect under Saddam Hussein's regime. "There is some battle damage, but the majority are things that were put in 30 to 40 years ago are just plain worn out," said Army Maj. Ken Booth, officer in charge, Detachment 1, Company C, 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the 11th MEU.Projects are improving conditions in the following sectors: public education, essential services (water, electricity, parking, etc), governance, public health, the economy and general quality of life."Our goals are to legitimize the government, improve the local infrastructure, improve the local economy and support the elections," Booth explained. "Every project we do we more or less try to fit in one of those categories.""We want to improve the quality of life for the people of Ad Qadisiyah and An Najaf provinces," said Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. "It's important to ensure essential services are available to the people here so they can lead comfortable, productive lives in a free society."