KABUL — Afghan and int'l officials have pledged aid to shopkeepers of one of Kabul's largest shopping centers, which was heavily damaged during an insurgent attack, Jan. 18.
The Mayor of Kabul, Engr Mohammad Nawandish and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, held a joint press conference Jan. 30, at the Kabul Municipality Office presenting shopkeepers with $1000 checks. The merchants were displaced from the Froshga Buzurg Afghan Shopping Center as a result of damage sustained during the attack.
"I'm here today with the Mayor of Kabul, and the Provincial Gov., Dr. Mojadidi, because I wanted to lend US Govt support to the efforts of the GoA in providing relief to the shopkeepers, who lost their livelihoods on January 18th," said Amb. Eikenberry.
"The actions of the brave ANSF during this cowardly insurgent attack on the hard-working people of Afghanistan, and their fellow Muslims is a testament to their dedication to duty and their ability to provide professional, effective, and reliable security," stated Brig Gen. Eric Tremblay, ISAF spokesperson.
Renovations to the Froshga Buzurg Afghan Shopping Center are underway, and officials are optimistic that the center will be ready for its shopkeepers to move back in by spring.
