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12/16/2003: "Kandahar Chronicles #46 - 15/12/2003"

Last week…

“Okay, I’ve got some bad news and the first thing I want to tell you that this is a security decision and it is not reversible.”

I stared dumbly into my cup of tea with the cell phone pressed against my ear, my face warmed in the early morning sun. I knew what was coming.

“We’ve had thorough discussions here and with HQ in Amsterdam and we’ve decided to pull you and Hamil out of Kandahar temporarily and reduce operations for a skeletal staff to manage. This will stay in affect for three weeks in which time we will then reassess the situation.”

Shit. I was stunned but not altogether surprised. With the Loya Jurga in town for a few days yet and having already gone through the course of suspending operations in Zhare Dasht, it made sense to retreat another step. We were in the process of refining the referral system, which would allow patients from the IDP camp to get to the hospital for treatment, and most of the factors were already in place. Continuing operations as normal was an unnecessary risk and if something serious happened again and an MSF staff member was injured it could lead to a much longer suspension. Still, it was shitty but when I attempted to argue the point I was quickly reminded that this was a decision already made. There was nothing to do about it except get on with what had to be done to reduce our role.

Vickie had written an email from Kabul outlining a plan that she had put together with Nelke, our new Head of Mission, and backed it up with an endless string of phone calls. Except for what had to be brought out with us it was pretty simple but still very busy. We had a morning meeting with the staff to discuss the previous days blast but I held off informing them of this new development until I’d had a chance to clarify a few points with Vickie and Nelke. The staff felt that it was elements within the Pakistan government who were responsible by supporting the insurgents in an attempt to keep Afghanistan unstable and therefore increasingly reliant on Pakistan economic support. They might have a point there except for the fact that they also blame flat tires on the Toyotas and occasional missed days at work on Pakistan as well. They did have some interesting points as well though that I included in an ongoing report I was putting together throughout the course of the day.

With Hamil tidying up the programmes, I turned to the logistical issues that had to be addressed. To do this I needed the support of the staff so I called a second meeting and informed them of the decision. They were not surprised but were worried. Many Afghans feel that this time is their opportunity to get Afghanistan back on its feet again but that the window of opportunity closes a little bit each time there is a setback in security. The presence of International NGOs is a key indicator that things are moving forward and any withdrawal of expats slows the process. I explained that this was a three week suspension of our presence and outlined what I wanted them to do. Primarily, they would work as normal for three more days, and then everyone except the key staff would be on holiday. Yacub, our head nurse, would be project responsible, while Dr. M., Engineer Ali and Safi would still head the medical, logistic and administrative departments respactively, although all in a reduced way.

We worked into the evening going over any details again and again. Things were in place, the only thing left to do was for Hamil and I to stay up late and drink vodka. What a crap day.

Replies: 1 Comment

Hey "Carlos" what a load of shit...If this is Dave let me know that you are alive and well and send me a e-mail.
Things here are not great for me, my mom past away on the 22nd of December from ALS.
Keep your head up and your stick on the ice...Jim

Message for Dave from Vancouver... said @ 12/27/2003 04:14 PM EST