Bahai Beach 33

Bahai Beach 33

December 25, 2006.

Peace, salaam to all on this joyous day.

To all who are with family and friends I wish you all your hearts desire. They are most likely right next to you. Here in Chad I feel like a purring cat. My break is doing wonders to the mind. It puts things into perspective. Let the negative emotions out and tank up on my positivism. A large part of that has had to do with Stacy and Gabriel.

http://www.stopgenocidenow.org/iact2/day3.php.

A website dedicated to end the crisis in Darfur. Gabriel and Stacy came out to Chad to talk with people in the camps around the Eastern parts of Chad. Inter-connectedness rules!
They would like to hook up young people between 13-17 from the USA with those in Chad. A way to make sure a better understanding develops between people from different continents. A relatively simple method as Internet can be used for this. Video messages can be recorded and sent to and fro.

Oure Cassoni has not left my mind or heart. I am sure that the systems are functioning smoothly as I heard that there was a transfer by car (arranged by the refugees) from O.C. to Bahai and then to Abeche by plane. The lady lost her baby but may well have died herself as the labor was obstructed. Yet she got operated in Abeche and she is doing well. Without medical expatriates in the field and only one national staff medical expatriate to run the system. I am very pleased. Self-reliance will make the system strong and expatriate positions redundant. The refugees in Oure Cassoni do very well for themselves. Make no mistake.

Here in N’Djamena we will have a medical meeting to plan for the first 6 months of 2006. Also we will address outstanding issues. Some of the plans are the introduction of functional laboratory with microscope in the camp, a check up center for newborns, construction of gates and fences, introduction of teaching curriculum. All up for debate naturally. What is a priority and what is achievable given the security situation. Outstanding issues include the preparation for an eventual departure of the camp. An exploratory mission to another site where there are several thousand Chadian on the run for violence, how to hand over the hospital back to the ministry of health, cost recovery. I can go on and sum up all the topics but it will be a long fruitful discussion I am sure.

In the mean time I have been looking around N’Djamena to get my working visa and my travel visa for Cameroon. But as in many Asian and African countries that takes some patience. Any way I am nearly off to Kenya and have absolutely no right to complain.

Well finally may peace come upon us. A dream perhaps but if you cannot dream you might as well not live. –Namaskar Ashis

Bahai Beach 32

Bahai Beach 32

December 21, 2006

Donkeys like sunbathing!

Nguebe was looking tired. Paying 150 environmental refugee staff is not the most exciting of tasks. On the way back from the health center I saw a dead donkey. This was a good opportunity to mobilize our environmental health man. Our driver and he drove over to check out the scene/. As Abubaker and he pulled out the rope to take the carcass to the outskirts of the camp the donkey shook his tail feather and clearly stated he was sun bathing---clearly not dead----

Is it time I go to an ophthalmologist?
Is the sun in Oure Cassoni too bright?
Are donkeys good con artists?
I do not know…

Our mass measles vaccination was a huge hit. More than 3200 children in class I and II were vaccinated in two days. Three schools were the hub of activity. With the help of Sylvie, Ben, Martin (Polish visitor) and the refugees we managed well. Sometimes cultures do clash however. Whips are still in use and it is a sore sight to see 6 year olds being hit on the head as well. One boy stole some crayons and the punishment was instant 5 whip strokes. This is hard to accept. Another culture? What to say when it was my own staff member supervising the whipping? I will talk with him when I am back in the camp.

The birth registration turned out less well. Ben the assistant public health manager managed to write 32 names in the registration book. About 120 were expected to come. But babies were being taken twice past the table to ensure double ration cards. And when two witnesses were requested besides father and mother our refugees insisted that one could be a father and a witness at the same time. Also it takes a member of CNAR (Chadian protection for refugees) about 30 minutes per form. Ben could occupy 4 of the CNAR agents. A sore sight for eyes.

In Abeche we ate at a restaurant run by Fafa. Fafa is a Chadian beauty of about 150 kilo. She was hitting hard on our Sospeter (logistician) leaning heavenly/heavily with her chest on his frame. When he finally got scared of the manhandling she lost her balance and crashed backwards in the trench running through the restaurant. It must be said she is an amazing cook and a grand personality. The brochettes were succulent.

The chickens have been left behind under close supervision of Francois the cook. He is understanding of their trauma and I am sure he will sing songs for them while I am off to scoot around Africa. Kenya is destination for diving and safari. I am sure it will be a great holiday. I can use some fruit, rest and dancing.

But how could I forget the news of the last days. There were two assassins in Bahai jail. Guess what?

One night the officer of gendarme ordered the jailers to take their dinner outside of the jail. When they returned 1 hour later there was a hole in the wall and 4 prisoners were out. Somehow while they were shackled they managed to use a huge knife to dig this hole and squeeze out of jail. Then they managed to roll across to the Sudanese border where according to the prefect it was naturally not possible to pursue then anymore. Zaghawa tribal law dictates that your brother will go to jail when you escape but in this case it was nicely forgotten that they are relatives of the prefect himself. One wonders; should we be grateful that they were in jail for 5 weeks period?
Here follows the reaction of some people in Bahai; ” Why were they in jail in first place. Nobody got killed?”

Mohammed Goni came to pick me up in the airport of N’djamena. He looks good. Lost some weight but he is gaining again. And his sunshine smile is back. He will be joining the work in the capital in 2 months.

Two kids in Abeche, one boy with a bladder stone and one with a splinter of wood in her eye were returned to Bahai today as well. Things are moving forward.

As all expatriate health staff is out of station and only two national health staff remain for hospital and camp it is a big test for our refugee staff. I have full confidence they will do well!
Empowered they are and we should acknowledge it.

I am quite sure to write before Christmas again,

So for now

Bravo Golf Juliet 3.9 out

Bahai Beach 31

Bahai Beach 31

Villa Chook

December 16

‘I strolled and found to my delight 11 eggs. One was actually hatching. It was a big surprise to me, as I had not noticed them before. But also I realized my chooks where in this magnificent wooden house with fireplaces and grass fields indoor. Overhead several parrots and….’
Wait I must have been dreaming. The little hut they have can hardly qualify as a villa and eggs are waiting for warmer days. A quick headcount and yes all present but alas no eggs. Seasonal breeding seems to be big in these parts of the world.

Cold showers on the other hand are popular. Our Captain of the Play-mobile brigade was some how delayed fro a departure from the camp. So we drove up to their base. That is a big word for 3 tents and a wooden structure with torn plastic sheeting several kilometers up hill near the chateau (gravity based distribution system). After some vague responses from the gendarmes and gentle prodding we found out the reason for the delay of the departure was the Captain’s bathing pattern. So then he finally finished and my o my did he smell fresh. We were on the move…
Until…At the gate the play-mobile brigade had to redistribute their 4 guns. Two for Bahai, two for Oure Cassoni…
Time to move?
No move as in batches of 2 there were the prayers of the soldiers. Two at a time so the others could guard the humanitarians. That giggly crowd was now wagering bets what would be the next reason for delay of departure. Lo and behold the bursting out of laughter when one of the Play-mobiles got tangled up in his turban.

The reason they are called Play-mobiles is because of their bright red coats, their casket helmets, the lacking of guns and their color full turbans. Turbans are found in a myriad of styles in the camp. And an essential item given the sand, wind, sun and now cold. Dr Ponce has a very fly way of wearing his dark green, Tim has a Saudi style wear (and the only black one in miles), and myself I like the Mogul style.

Mohammed Dria reported to me yesterday that the reason a bed was empty was because the lady who was admitted into it had died after childbirth. In 2006 there have been two maternal deaths from the camp and two from woman living in the district. Most likely there were more but two managed to come to the hospital. One of the reasons is that birth takes place in the home by traditional birth attendants with limited formal training, lack of materials and limited experience. Losing a woman in a natural process, as childbirth remains hard to accept and is always a tragedy. Always it needs to be remembered that until 2005 there was no functional hospital in the region. The nearest working hospital was at 70 kilometers away. Then there is the plethora of reasons; malnutrition of mother, female genital mutilation, limited antenatal services, traditional customs, multiple births, extreme young age mothers (15 or less) or older age (45 and more) and several other reasons. This case merits an investigation as to what went wrong.

In the camp I have become smitten with a black and white little goat. She is hopping around near to the hospital still suckling at her mother’s teat but as soon as she is old enough she may be promoted to guardian of the chook farm.

Other news from the camp:
The Goran population who are most likely from Chad and therefore by international definition (bla bla) not refugees but internally displaced people have by and large moved to the wadi. There they have shelter of the trees and it is slightly less cold. These Goran are herdsmen of camel and very few of them are registered in the camp so they do not receive petrol, food, blankets or any of the items distributed to the ‘real’ refugees. The distinction between the two groups is heart felt. Due to the dire circumstances in these regions and the insecurity their position is about as bad as the Zaghawa’s. Not enough rains for many years, banditry to steal their camels and goats, proxy war. It is just that they are not from the right side of the border to receive aid.

On a bigger scale in the rest of Chad due to the fighting going on around Guereda, Abeche and other places more South tens of thousands of Chadians are displaced. It will be a test case for the solidarity of the Chadian Government, UNHCR and the international aid community.
The Chadian Government as because their interest is to protect their citizens as well as host refugees. UNHCR as because being an IDP does not mean you cannot die of malnutrition. And the already scaled down aid community to deal with this ‘new’ group of people which is rapidly growing.

All through this a red threat or thread; the violence needs to stop. Chad is now making incursions in to Central African Republic and Sudan chasing rebels to their base. Sudanese supported rebels are fighting in Chad and Central African Republic. I cannot remember where I read that war between countries is history but all ingredients for a locking of horns between several countries is present.

And the French; the French are actively supporting CAR’s army by aerial bombardments (planes), helicopters and ground troops. To a lesser extent they are involved in Chad as well. Instead of by reflex always pointing to American Imperialism for once the French should look in to the mirror. Thousands are on the run because of the aerial bombardments in CAR.

Christmas is around the corner. A festival celebrating peace. Let the world stop ignoring ugly politics and come out against this unfolding nightmare.

Namaskar

Ashis

Bahai Beach 30

Bahai Beach 30

Return to sender. Address unknown

December 15, 2006.

MSF requested for their Plaster of Paris. We received them when there were soldiers a plenty in our hospital with fractures. But given the situation in Abeche MSF wanted them back. It took a while to locate them in our pharmacy but they were eventually found and put on a plane to Abeche. Surprise, surprise as they were returned the next day by plane! A smart cookie had seen the label IRC Bahai on them and decided it was best to return them.

Sometimes people are like boxes of POP as well. Should I stay or should I go. Do I have anything to say in the matter? Christmas is nearing but it does not feel like it all. What is noticeable is that many of our staff will be spending the festive season with their near and dear. It is good. Take the mind of the work.

My feathered friends – the male ones – my beautiful roosters have ended up in the soup. One of the guards was not aware that I had purchased two fine specimens.

What to do?

I must say that they are a very resistant bunch. We gone through heat spells, flush floods and one of these days I sure a snowstorm may hit us as well. Yet they keep on going. I can recommend to all have a troop of chooks. It makes you smile. And they are great to chase around the compound if you have nothing better to do.

It is time for some medical stories from the camp.

1. An eighteen-year-old young man was claimed to have been throwing bullets in the fire. The consequences; a bullet blasted through his hand and broke three metacarpals, some small bones and tore through muscle and several ligaments. Together with Mohammed Dria we did some reconstruction and put his hand back together.

2. We have taken under our wings the care for 2 of the psychiatric patients in the camp. One had to be tied down for several weeks as she had a reactive psychosis. She had lost her husband and young child over the last months and those horrible events made her breakdown. At least medication can be supplied and she no longer needs to be tied down.

3. Another lady hears voices---telling her that she will be killed. This causes her to be running away from all men and not sleeping at night. Her family does the best possible to take care of her but here also we hope medication will help. I managed to speak with her. Even shake her hand, but the moment I wanted to put my hand on her shoulder like a frightened deer she withdrew. It was such an intense moment. I cannot imagine how it must feel to be living in extreme fear all day.
4. Another traffic accident three days ago. One death. Four injured. You just cannot believe how people manage to crash into each other when there are so few cars and no roads but when you see how loaded the trucks are and at what speed they race it is clear that it is more a miracle we have so few deaths.

We had our deputy director visit the program. The refugee staff and Ben my assistant public health manager did a stellar tour. All questions could be answered. They made a very professional impression on Kurt. I was so happy! This is why I am doing this work. Osman, Adam, Zahara, Beshir, Yaya and all 73 others a million blessings
With humor they explained the constraints, problems and solutions found. More important they talked about the daily work in the Oure Cassoni camp. The pleasure they have in their work. Their commitment to serve their community. The feeling they give me is that with ease they can maintain the health services in the camp.

Mission accomplished?

Now to add to the basics;

1. A functional laboratory.
2. Introduction of regular follow up of the under 1 year olds
3. Improvement of the drug management system
4. Improvement of use of protocols
5. Further training to raise the quality of preventive, curative and reproductive services in the camp

Namaskar,


Ashis Brahma

p.s. I have been doing tours of the houses of my staff to find out yesterday that one of my nurses (male) has 19 children. Very impressive!
I am setting out to find the record holder in the camp. So far he and Umda are tied in the number one position.

One man came up to me a few days ago. His wife refuses to sleep with him. She wants to go to university. Hence she has been grey carded. (Next card red card) What will happen? Where will this story lead?
Zaghawa women are very strong willed/ I am sure he will end up side lined.

Bahai Beach 29

Bahai Beach 29

December 11, 2006

Ganatir Oasis welcomes all!

The rebel leader Mohammed Nouri has surfaced near Biltine. In fact at Ganatir the proposed site Oure Cassoni was going to be moved towards by UNHCR. In a fine frenzy Chadian Army rolled in only to get butchered. Now the president himself has come down to lead his troops personally. A decisive victory waits!?.

War is ugly but the only thing positive I can think of in this struggle is that the combats take place in swats of desert. Then again most of the soldiers probably are not even 18 yet. One can wonder if it is a choice. The Sudanese rebels and Government troops in the hospital are very similar. They come from very poor families and did not really have an alternative to earn money. Forced conscription is common as well.

The boys in the hospital are happy and almost hoping a bout as their traction has been removed. Most were about to walk out despite the metal pins so better do it in a proper way than in a bush way. Some how they must know or sense that Bahai may not be the best place to hang around a long time. Let us see if the Red Cross can solve their issue. Tomorrow we will have a crutch dance session. Let us see if the Old School Whodini or Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five are known here yet. If not my plight is to teach them some break dancing and electric boogey. I foresee a great afternoon,

A young girl in the hospital in the mean time with a splinter of wood in her eye was about to be sent to Abeche to a proper eye surgeon. If only she and her father could have waited 2 hours more the paper work would have been fixed and a flight to surgery arranged. They bailed; need to find them in the camp tomorrow. While she left a 23-year-old lady rolled in thin as a broomstick, vomiting, 4 months pregnant. We will do some laboratory tests tomorrow. Just today a newspaper article was published that HIV is on the rise in Darfur. We shall see. Slim disease as HIV is commonly called in parts of Africa will be popping up in the camp in the foreseeable future. It does not make it easy that extramarital sex is a topic that cannot be discussed. The same goes for family planning.

In the camp Agar, my three-year-old buddy has popped up again, His mother has a mental condition and sometimes he roams around to get as much food as he can. Other mental cases are still isolated at times. They are not allowed to live near the camp or are tied to wooden poles so they cannot hurt themselves or others. Luckily SOS Kinderdorp has a program to address these issues. Unfortunately they have left Bahai for security reasons.

Osman Imam, our administrator was very angry with me today as I had refused him entry in our vehicle yesterday while he had to go to Bahai. It made we happy because he trusts me enough to tell me in my face he is upset. We sat and talked and I could explain him why our rules are the way they are. Also that on Thursday he could raise the issue with our Field Coordinator, Country Director and Deputy Regional Director who happen to be on a visit.

Lunch today was camel meat and bread. Afterwards Umda (their tribal leader), Osman and I stayed behind and discussed the history of the Zaghawa people, Sufism and the differences between mystical Hinduism and Islam. The Zaghawas may have the name to be a difficult people, but to me they know very well what they want and they maintain their traditions. An environment to learn from the people I work with and the job I do.

So far outbreaks of disease are not taking place. Transportation of complex cases to Bahai and Abeche is ongoing. Two months of medication & materials is available in the camp. If we are forced to pull out I am sure the refugees will manage to do their own business. The only thing that worries me is the water supply. It is easy to sabotage and rebels and Sudanese government troops alike are using the lake.

Ashis himself is getting tired. I am not 99% cheerful as mostly. But when standing between my chickens or talking with Umda and Osman I know I am in the right place. Tired is a state of mind. Just need to sleep, take my cold showers, eat my meals and count the days. My next Rest and Recreation is due the 16th of January but depending on the developments I might take it a bit early so Dr Ponce can come into the project (or Sylvie)

Talking about my chooks or with them at times gives immense pleasure. Yesterday I talked to them about Beyond Borders. This is an Angelina Jolie movie about a doctor working in places like Ethiopia, Cambodia and Chechnya. They seem to think it was a sentimental tearjerker. I beg to differ. Yet to so many chooks one needs to listen.

No news from Mimi. I guess she is chasing the cats downtown. Wish the blessed cat a beautiful free spirited life.

Namaskar,

Ashis

Bahai Beach 28

Bahai Beach 28

December 7th, 2006

Where are the drivers?

Stress in the morning is never good. From 06.45 onwards ever more frantic calls summoning our drivers to come to the compound so we can make the 07.30 convoy. At one point Sheri walks to the UNHCR compound to confirm that our boys are all right. Yet no sign of them and the cars are in place. Is it true they slipped out before the change of guards?
To do what?
Go fishing?
Play ludo?
Alternative theories are popping up. Did they get stolen, are they kidnapped? A sense of worry is on the rise. And then the sleepy faces of our two drivers pop out of a room. They had heard the radio calls and overslept. And silly us could not find our drivers in our own compound!
In the Maternal and Child Health Center three women deliver in the last two days. One baby was so lucky to have its umbilical cord strung around its neck. The second baby girl born today had a knot in her umbilical cord. It was the seventh child of this mother and we were trying to understand why the baby took so long to pass through the birth canal. Both girls survived! The birth process is always an honor to be present at and working with Zahara and her crew of midwives is all my pleasure. Under direct supervision I can comment and demonstrate those things that can be improved and learn why there are problems with home deliveries and those in the health center. Many women do not eat on the day of labor and end up hypoglycemic and with feeble contractions. Some of the women have female genital mutilation and need to be ‘cut open’ before they can deliver. Last month seemed like a baby boom with 68 births.
General food distribution has been going on for 3 days and will hopefully be finished tomorrow. In the midst of donkeys, bags of corn, tins of soy-oil, dabbling children, horse-carts, armed guards and all the family cards one can see that there is a strong community sense. The last distribution only some people without family cards. The non-refugees (token holders other word for token = non-right, no refugee, no food) created huge ruckus last time. This time however it remains quiet. It is as if the refugee community realizes it may well be one of the last times.
Security in Chad may be in steep decline but Bahai seems like an oasis of peace. But that thought may well be an illusion. In the country on several occasions when there was an opportunity to loot the local community did just that.
I walked around the camp the last two days. There were to wakes to attend. The first was a lady who was 90 + . And then there was the boy of about 5 who had fallen into the fire and who died of the consequent sepsis. At such a gathering men and women are separate. The men pray together and share tea and a meal of Azida (it taste as it is named, acid). The women do just the same near by.
A boom of zag zag’s is taking place in the compound. I hope that Mimi will pop again but it seems she has gone on a quest leaving us without her feline capacity to catch the furry mice.
In a way working with a small team is good. There is a very direct with the refugee staff and a lot of responsibilities are on their shoulders. After all if they do not manage their drug stocks well when we are absent they themselves will suffer.
The men in the hospital are nearly all doing very well. About ten are still in traction with their upper leg fractures but most are happy they are not fighting presently. We hope the International Committee of Red Cross can find a durable solution. All have received crutches. The 3 year old with a calculus in the bladder has finally been put on an airplane with his mother to be operated upon. The lady who came 30 days after delivery looking swollen all over is now doing well.
And then in the camp I found a laboratory technician who used to teach at El Fasher in Sudan. This a good start, together with the materials that are already available to set up the laboratory in the camp.
The end of the day I spent running after kids and lifting them upside down. It causes an inner smile and is the biggest award of all.

Namaskar,

Ashis

Bahai Beach 27

Bahai Beach 27

December 3, 2006.

Goni walks, UNHCR flies out.

If you would the silence is getting eerie. The days are gone that 15 vehicles loaded with aid workers rolls to be camp. At best 5 vehicles nowadays and each and every day less and less people in the Land-cruisers. Our pre-emptive move seems to have been spot on. We are back to the skeleton of people to run the minimal of activities.

This morning another sample of the high level of stress our partners operate under. Iriba Base a mere 100 kilometers away could not be reached by Thuraya and instantly the rumors start spinning. “Attacks, rebel movements, looting of the UNHCR stores.” Ten minutes later the rumors it was confirmed the rumors were wrong. It was not a troop of bandit/rebels but Chadian troops rolling in to town. Where and when they show up is never relayed to the Aid Community and with all armed people here wearing a mixture of home dresses, uniforms and semi-uniform it is never clear who is what.

As this morning events unfolded UNHCR announced it is withdrawing from 3 sites in the three more Northern sites in Chad. Only yesterday we were dancing in their compound to the beats if the farewell party of the Head of Bureau. A wicked party lasting from a 15.00 till Six Thirty…
Indeed in the afternoon, your definition of a hot party gets a bit messed up here in the desert. At one point it must have looked like a celebrity bash with photographers a plenty running around taking shots left, right, up and down. Even our play-mobile soldiers joined in the fun.

The different NGO’s have different responses to the latest security threats. There are NGO’s that are still operating at full force despite all recent events, there are NGO’s that have scaled down to minimal services like IRC, some NGO’s will do that now and other NGO’s will halt all activities for the time being. For sure there is no right or wrong response here. All have different frames of security analysis and different guidelines, different levels of donor pressure, different in house capacity to respond. Inch Allah they will all return and full activities will resume at the camp. This evacuation will take place just before the lifeline in the camp in other words the food distribution. Let us wait and see how that happens.

N’Djamena is still not under siege. Hippotami are floating hither and thither in the Chari River. Cranes & herons compete to show off who has the biggest catch. And Goni walks. Our sturdy driver has made it. He will be released from the hospital any time soon and after several weeks of rest he will rejoin us. But never again he will work in Bahai. It is too dangerous for him as well it would not be right for him to work there again.

The roosters seem to understand that if they do not want to end up in the cooking pot silence is golden. Not a bit of excessive cuckolding so far. But on close observation I still not have found eggs. What else could I contribute to their well-being. My thoughts range from a heater to a Jacuzzi. Well when I make up my mind I shall inform you all. Back to sleep I have a long day ahead of me and we will see where it takes us.

Some hours ahead of time a meeting with the leaders of the community. It is clear that they have not been left behind for the first time. Measures have been put in place to maintain minimal services but for sure programs are not running as easy as they should. One of the essential activities for this month, the general food distribution has been planned for tomorrow instead of in 8 days. These days are always highly stress full and with the departure of many UNHCR staff members it will not be easier. Last month in one zone the distribution had to be stopped as one of our staff members got attacked by a group of women armed with knives and sticks. Again the plan is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. The meeting ended as usual in a dispute over tokens. This word is one of my top 5 words in the camp.

Right after the meeting I was asked to attend a delivery by a young mother who did not manage to push out the head of the child easily. Thought I felt the umbilical cord around the neck and indeed that was the case. Zahara the midwife and I clamped the cord and cut it. Twenty seconds later a beautiful Zaghawa girl cried out. How majestic life can be.

The rest of the day we spent packing medications for two months with as destination the hospital. A contingency stock is in place there as well now. Actually after the delivery I was whistling and singing most of the afternoon. My, o my, this is a fantastic place to work.

Now could someone please solve the conflict so our community can go home?


Namaskar,

Ashis

Bahai Beach 26

Bahai Beach 26


Rebels on the loose

December 1,2006

Mimi has a new hobby; pretending to observe my chooks in all innocence behind the fence. Before she just to be terrified by creatures with feathers but now her curiosity or hunger has overtaken the fear of being attacked sparrows only one month ago. To make sure my chickens are safe I bought two guardians; a handsome white rooster and a massive brown/black speckled 5-kilo monster. Luckily the main combat the chicklets face is still the cold, because cold it is at night.

An armed truce would be nice in Chad, or a resolution of the civil war. Yet the situation in Chad is getting more and more tangled up. There are several rebel groups fighting the central government and to make matters worse they are starting to fight one another. If the acronyms would not be so deadly, FUC, SCUD it would almost be funny.

The camp in the mean time has been stocked up with extra medication, petrol to maintain the pump system for the water and all chemicals required to purify the water for a month. Preparation to make sure that in the case we are not able to access the camp essential activities for a prolonged period of time our refugee staff can maintain the essential services. On Thursday I had a meeting with all my health staff to run through a list of topics; vaccination, transfer of patients requiring hospital, communication with IRC. By asking their views one can clearly understand that evacuations of international or Chadian staff is not new to them. It has happened to them before and it will happen again. They have an organizational and hierarchical system in place. There are three leaders per zone (total 9 leaders), one Umda (traditional leader) and all blocks having their own leaders. In a joking yet serious way they offered me to sleep in the camp. To quote Adam Suleiman (Community Health Supervisor and Zone leader) “Bahai is not a safe place, but in Oure Cassoni nobody will touch the NGO community”. Also Osman Imam was pulling my leg. “Biltine the site that was offered as an alternative site (although there is no water and Janjaweed a plenty) is currently the scene of heavy fighting between two rebel groups and you want us to go there?”

Today is the celebration of President Deby’s take over of power. I t would be very predictable that fighting flares up to disturb this special day. What is sure that the rebels have an action plan this time unlike in April when they just rushed towards the capital and with help of the French got stopped. Will the French remain sitting on the fence this time? In the Central African Republic they have actively been involved in fighting cross-border rebels.

In the camp I met one of my favorite moms. Her plump and powerful looking 1 year old has been earmarked to become a warrior in Mini Arcua Minawi’s Sudanese Liberation Army. We always joke with one and other about at which birthday he will get his first Kalashnikov. Bittersweet. The rumors circulating in the meant time is that a group of rebels will come to Bahai soon to sensitize the community. Code language for recruitment of fresh battle flesh.

More and more children are being born in the health care center. The messages to the community must be coming through and this despite traditional views and customs. I do hope this trend continues. We have plans to engage with the traditional birth attendants. In Zaghawa culture a relative or neighbor, who has limited training, but has learnt from her mother or grandmother, usually assists a delivery. In the camp these customs still prevail. On the one hand one has to respect these customs yet on the other hand there is a high maternal and neonatal mortality rate. A delicate area our new Assistant Reproductive Health Manager will have a nice job to do.

The ongoing stress is at times disheartening. Especially the threats of bandits, rebels, local populations who are after assets or revenge (relatives of the assassins of Mohammed Omar Goni) I think about him a lot. He walked the fine line between life and death. And he lived! He is doing well. What a blessing the news of yesterday. At any given time I feel negative or scared I try to focus on the kids in the camp with their beautiful smiles. I guess a wise man was right when he wrote: “ The only thing to fear is fear it self.” I love my work. The isolation, hardship, wear and tear, fear… it is all part of a much larger game.

Namaskar,

Ashis