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09/22/2003: "Kandahar Chronicles #14 - 20/09/2003"

Today I got a call on the VHF from the PC. He was at a meeting with the HOM of UNHCR discussing WatSan. We had made a plan with the MedCo, HAO and LogCo at the CMT in conjunction with the DO and PO of UNICEF to investigate IDP movements with the DG of the MOH. The RC for AHDS and the HOPM of ICMC were interested although the NHC of WHO and the R-FSO of UNAMA were off duty at RONCO and UNICA and unavailable for comment. The GM of ICRC was busy as was the RRPM of MCI. After the meeting, I sent Kilo 6 from Zulu Delta via Zulu Delta 1 and Sierra 13 to pick up our PC-kilo mike 1, the MTL-kilo mike 2 and the IDW supervisor-kilo mike 2.4. Kilo 6 returned to our location, everything A-OK.

NGO-speak makes no sense when you first arrive on mission. I think a madman invented it. Actually, it’s a necessary, more efficient form of communication given the long winded job titles people have and the flashy, descriptive names of the organizations. (MSF-Medecins Sans Frontieres! “Borders? I don’t see no stinking borders!”) It’s also required for security, call signs like Romeo 6 and Whiskey 4 can be either people, places or vehicles. We operate on the open-air waves and while we are transparent as possible to show we have nothing to hide there’s no point advertising our movements. I don’t have a business like acronym for a job title and none of the team use, (or remember), our designated call signs. First names are slightly less military sounding and certainly more identifiable. Nothing more from my side, Carlos out.