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NARHWAN, Iraq (April 8, 2008) - An industrial complex in Iraq
has quadrupled its employment and productivity over the last three
months and a skilled team from Multi-National Division - Center is
helping the companies maintain and keep their labor force
healthy.
More than 250 donkeys were recently treated by veterinarian
Capt. Rory Carolan, from Maryland, and Soldiers from 1st Battalion,
10th Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry
Division. The donkeys will be used in the absence of motorized
vehicles at the Narhwan Brick Factory Complex. Healthy donkeys were
needed for the increase in hauling and to support production.
Lt. Col. Bruce Baker, an economist with the civil affairs team,
G9, 3rd Inf. Div., who led the initiative, realized that healthy
donkeys were needed after heavy fuel oil (HFO) became available to
fire the kilns and bring the brick factory complex to full
operating capacity.
After Coalition forces engaged the Ministry of Energy on behalf
of business owners at the complex to deliver HFO, employment rose
from 3,500 to 15,000. The donkeys became essential to haul straw
and mud, as well as the newly-formed bricks. The challenge for
Baker was to get the mainly malnourished donkeys able to keep up
with the work the HFO was going to make.
Carolan, senior veterinarian and agriculture adviser with the
civil affairs team, G9, 3rd Inf. Div., specializes in treating
equine species - horses, ponies and donkeys. After a briefing from
Baker, Carolan traveled to Narhwan to hold the clinic.
"This Narhwan clinic was unique, given the number of donkeys to
be examined and treated," he said. "Many of the donkeys were
malnourished and obviously mistreated. Some suffered from pressure
sores, hematomas and neglect. Some collapsed of exhaustion and died
before our eyes.
"Others were well-cared for, well-fed and well-groomed by owners
who respected their worth," he said.
Carolan, with the help of Soldiers from 1-10th FA, examined,
wormed, measured and weighed the donkeys. Hundreds more donkeys are
waiting to be treated in follow-on clinics.
"The vet clinic was the right thing to do before an increased
volume of brick orders kicked in," Carolan said. "In our clinic we
were able to examine and treat donkeys in need of care. We were
able to encourage owners giving excellent care to their donkeys. We
were able to teach the best way of care and feeding donkeys.
"That is where we can have the most impact, teaching the owners
how to properly feed and care for the animals. Higher production at
the factories will be achieved with the improved standards of care
employed," he said.
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