Sada-e Azadi

Taking the first step toward restoring Kabul businesses destroyed by insurgents, Afghan and US officials gave out payments to shopkeepers affected by a Jan. 18 attack.
Officials gave out $80,000 for shopkeepers whose property was damaged when insurgents made a failed attempt to attack government offices, including the Presidential Palace.
Instead of harming the government, the attackers burned four floors of a six-story shopping centre. Seven people were killed and more than 70 were injured, most of them civilians.

A day after the attack, the Afghan government pledged help for the damaged businesses.
It’s the first time that economic victims have received money to recover damages in this type of attack.
Kabul Mayor Mohammad Younus Nawandish joined US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and other officials to join in the aid distribution at the end of January.

“I wanted to lend US Government support to the efforts of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in providing relief to the shopkeepers who lost their livelihoods on January 18th,” said Ambassador Eikenberry in a statement.

The mayor, ambassador and Kabul Provincial governor met with shopkeepers, handing out $1,000 to each who was affected by the attack. The money is intended as a first step, officials said, to re-start those businesses.

“The January 18 attack, a few days after I took office, was an unfortunate and tragic way to start my term,” Mayor Nawandish said. “However, with the support of President Karzai, the US government, and the good efforts of Hajji Usman, the building owner, I believe that we will quickly repair the building and have it back in operation before the spring.”

“I really thank the Afghan and US governments for their support,” said Mohammad Ali Wasifi, whose shop was destroyed in the attack. But the attack was so devastating, costing his business many times the amount of the initial payment, he said: “We lost everything we had and the $1000 we received can’t heal our wounds.”

Much of Mr Wasifi’s inventory was on loan, and must be paid for even if it is not sold, he added.
While renovation of the building is underway, the Afghan and US government will work together to fashion a package of support for the shopkeepers which will help them restart their businesses, the statement said.