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12/04/2003: "Kandahar Chronicles #44 - 03/12/2003"

I think it’s been three weeks since the last entry and a lot has happened, most of it I can’t detail because of the continuing delicate security context that still exists in Southern Afghanistan. The car bomb outside the UN headquarters brought the conflict to the heart of the INGO community in Kandahar, and the subsequent murder of a French UN Officer in Ghanzi a few days later further shook an aid community trying to find ways to continue their operations in the region. Once again, we have had to suspend our operations in Zhare Dahst IDP camp because of our staff intensive, predictable movements along the unsecured roads from Kandahar. Once again, we have established a referral system, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and an excellent local organization, AHDS, to deal with the patient caseload. At the time of writing, there are still bugs to be worked out with this system but at least the care is there for the IDPs.

One of the more significant consequences of the deteriorating situation here for our team was the decision to scale down the expat presence to a skeleton level. Both Kathleen, our nurse, and Ally, our midwife, have been pulled out of the project leaving myself, Dr. Hamil and Vickie to continue the program. With our Health Posts closed in Zhare Dasht, Kathleen and Ally were both limited considerably with what they could accomplish here. Other organizations have taken similar actions and the once thriving “Happy Valley” crowd that staffed these aid groups is a shadow of itself. Rumours of further attacks are rampant and all too often proved true. Yesterday, a motorcyclist lobbed a couple of grenades at Coalition Forces manning a checkpoint, and a mosque was similarly hit in the centre of town.

That was my welcome as I arrived back from another shopping/R and R visit to Islamabad. We were pulled out of Kandahar to spend time in Kabul while the notoriously rowdy post Ramadan-Eid celebrations occurred in the last week of November. I’d injured my back and used the opportunity to escape the frozen mud of Kabul for a warmer Islamabad and a hot tub in the hotel we use there. As it turned out, the Eid celebrations were for the most part uneventful but things have quickly reverted to their now normal, dangerous state. There are HR issues to deal with over the next month, as Hamil and I will be the only constant expat presence in the project. The Infectious Disease Ward at the hospital needs maintenance so between that and dealing with the security issues there will still be plenty for me to do. I took a break from writing because of the worsening situation, but now it looks like that will be the norm for the rest of my time here.

Replies: 5 Comments

Yo Bro!

Azjatki said @ 01/17/2004 05:03 PM EST

Keep safe, we appreciate your efforts and I'm sure the people of Afghanistan to do as well. I pray for peace.

Faith said @ 12/12/2003 04:00 PM EST

If one was planning to work there, would it be safer to "go native" or be conspicuously a foreigner. I'm half Persian, and half Canadian and could pass for either depending on clothing and grooming. So, if I planned to work there, which would be better. Also, is Persian language skills an asset?

Cyrus said @ 12/10/2003 02:57 AM EST

I've been following your journal for many months and am quite impressed with your writing. My sister Kathleen is one of your coworkers.

Mark said @ 12/08/2003 01:50 PM EST

How much longer will you be "in country" Carlos?

Hum said @ 12/08/2003 11:58 AM EST