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Zabul PRT facilitates governmental meeting

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Amber Balken
  • Zabul PRT public affairs
ZABUL Afghanistan --  Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team, by with and through the Afghan government, facilitated a meeting between Provincial Governor Del Bar Arman and the leaders of Shajoy district here recently.

The visit came shortly after a suicide bomber attacked an Afghan National Army compound.

Given the delicate security situation the PRT was called upon to help with transportation and also security of the official party which included the Governor, the Janet Gul, Mayor of Qalat City, Major General Jamal Uddin, Afghanistan National Army 2nd of the 205th commander, Col. Griegourous, Task Force Zabul commander, Lt. Col. Andrew Torelli, PRT commander and members of the PRT special staff.

The visit consisted of three stops in the district, the ANA compound, the local hospital and finally a shura (meeting) was held with the local elders and leaders about the current security situation, humanitarian assistance and future reconstruction and development projects.

After thanking the soldiers of the ANA for their service and bravery during the attack the governor visited the local hospital, chatting with patients and touring the facilities.

The governor was able to see first hand the benefits of the water sanitation project headed by the PRT.

"The water sanitation project is very important in Zabul province," said Air Force Dr. (Capt.) William Ericco, Zabul PRT doctor, deployed here from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. "With the help of the governor we will hopefully be able to reach many more people with the project."

The PRT also provided the Governor with a truck load of humanitarian assistance to give to the hospital and its patients in preparation for winter.

The day ended with a shura (meeting) between the local tribal leaders, and the governor. 

"Considering the recent events, it was very important that Gov. Arman was able to visit the district of Shajoy," said Lt. Col. Andrew Torelli, Zabul PRT commander. "The PRT was honored and very thankful that we could facilitate today's events."