Flight scheduled March 4
Got an e-mail today saying the flight to Sudan is planned for saturday march 4. Looks like it's really going to happen this time. Yesterday I was at the Ministry of Defence for a final briefing on the situation in Sudan. We were joined by a cpuople of folks from the Foreign Affairs Ministry. They were there to give us a background as to why it's so important that we participate in this mission. It comes down to the fact that the Netherlands changed their third world aid policy. In stead of giving a little to a lot of countries the just want to focus on a few and give them substantial support. For the African continent the main focus is on the Horn of Africa. As for peace keeping operations; Africa is booming business.
It is still not sure if and when our 15 observers will ship out to Sudan. The UN still hasn't deployed any of the 80+ observers already statiobned in Juba to any of the remote team sites. Reason is the sites aren't fully deployed yet. Some lack essential basics such as clean drink water facilities and health care units. The delay is mainly caused by underestimating the poor local infrastructure and geography. Things will only get worse with the rainy season starting in a couple of weeks. Another issue is that the Russians haven't fulfilled their commitment to supply a helicopter unit yet. And by the looks of it this won't happen any time soon either. This means it will be extremely difficult to evacuate any staff from remote locations in case of an (medical) emergency. This could be a reason to keep our observers home unless the UN come up with a creative solution. It seems the level 2 hospital in Juba is almost fully deployed. So no reason to keep me home ...
Latest news from the medical front is that Cholera has reared its ugly head in the South of Sudan. So far about 100 people have died of this highly lethal disease and it is reported to have spread to Juba. I have been vaccinated for about every illness possible. Unfortunately there is no vaccination for Cholera. Just have to keep my fingers crossed I don't catch it.
It is still not sure if and when our 15 observers will ship out to Sudan. The UN still hasn't deployed any of the 80+ observers already statiobned in Juba to any of the remote team sites. Reason is the sites aren't fully deployed yet. Some lack essential basics such as clean drink water facilities and health care units. The delay is mainly caused by underestimating the poor local infrastructure and geography. Things will only get worse with the rainy season starting in a couple of weeks. Another issue is that the Russians haven't fulfilled their commitment to supply a helicopter unit yet. And by the looks of it this won't happen any time soon either. This means it will be extremely difficult to evacuate any staff from remote locations in case of an (medical) emergency. This could be a reason to keep our observers home unless the UN come up with a creative solution. It seems the level 2 hospital in Juba is almost fully deployed. So no reason to keep me home ...
Latest news from the medical front is that Cholera has reared its ugly head in the South of Sudan. So far about 100 people have died of this highly lethal disease and it is reported to have spread to Juba. I have been vaccinated for about every illness possible. Unfortunately there is no vaccination for Cholera. Just have to keep my fingers crossed I don't catch it.
posted by Jan at Thursday, February 23, 2006
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