“Trying to provide safe water and sanitation along with hygiene promotion to the most vulnerable of people in conflict griped Afghanistan is not an easy task”, says Kevin Rumsey of Canada.  However, that is the challenging work faced by the Canadian from Whitehorse, Yukon.  Kevin is the country coordinator for the water, sanitation and hygiene sector of ACF, based in Kabul city.  He oversees a team of about 40 national staff that provides basic water and sanitation services to about 170,000 people at risk through 6 projects.  Kevin also develops and writes proposals for international donors for new projects. Another important element is to build the capacity of the national staff through training and mentoring.  Regular attendance and representation of the ACF mission at meetings of government and the United Nations.

Afghanistan is a dangerous place to live and work for both Afghans and Expats.  Well known to be one of the most difficult humanitarian missions by ACF.  As a result, “security” dominates all aspects of the program, in terms of delivery, working conditions for staff and even the living conditions of the 5 Expats.  The simple act of walking in the streets of the city is not allowed, they are driven everywhere in low profile and unmarked cars and have a body guard (unarmed) every where they go.  There are only a few restaurants that the Expat can go to as well as shopping places. Unfortunately, the security situation in Afghanistan is becoming worse and they are on a 24 hour notice evacuation order.

To add to the difficult context, the long drought of 7 years has had a devastating impact on the country and the population. The water table, which supplies most of water source for Kabul and other larger cities, has been lowered several metres, leaving 1000’s of wells dry. The winter season adds misery to the situation, with access to food, especially in the rural area has become critical. Already 7 million people rely of food aid by the international community, including ACF. The degradation of the natural environment, especially the small forested areas and surface water has further crippled the country’s limited economy and its people.

In trying to help to provide basic water and sanitation services to populations at risk, all activities by ACF are integrated and the goal of sustainability is key. With every new water point (drilled or hand dug well), ACF trains people and provides the materials for the building of 3 sanitary latrines. This is then followed by hygiene education, to the beneficiaries, in order to change behaviors (which is difficult to achieve, as it takes a long time) and also capacity building.

Water committees are formed and trained, the beneficiaries are involved in the water point locations. Caretakers and mechanics are selected and trained to maintain the water pumps.  ACF also repairs old and broken hand pumps, rehabilitates surface water spring boxes, irrigation head works and under ground canals (karez), which are 100’s of years old.

For hygiene promotion, each house hold in the target areas receives 3 visits over the course of the project.  However, before the home visits a KAP survey is completed (knowledge, attitude and practice) in order to compare the results with a final KAP survey. ACF also targets schools and teachers and give out hygiene kits by the 1000’s to beneficiaries.  Kevin relies on a his team of nationals to implement the various projects.

Being the only Canadian on the Afghanistan mission, living and working closely with the 4 French Expats has not been boring.  “I am very lucky to work and live with a great tea, and trying to learn each others cultural and language has turned into much humor for all, especially when I don’t speak French”, say Rumsey.   The French eat dinner very late, love theri cheese and dry meats, and ofcourse they drink wine like water.”

Kevin has taken a 1 years leave of absence from the Government of Canada to work in Afghanistan.

Everyday something happens here to confirm that I am living in another world and of time past.  Apparently, ACF has a seat on the ‘Provincial Development Committee’ (PDC), which meets monthly, however ACF has not attended in 8 months, until today.  I and Nasrullah attended the PDC this morning and let’s say it was most interesting.  ( I have no time to write this, but I need a diversion from drafting budgets). All the big international organizations, the UN, the International Security Assistance Force [military] (ISAF) and Afghan groups meet monthly to sit with the governor and tell everybody what they are doing, or are trying to do. Turns out I broke security rules and was not suppose to go this meeting, because of the high potential for an attack or kidnapping, especially when ISAF people are targets. The Head of Mission (Anne) is on break, but will not be impressed when she hears this….perhaps Nico won’t say anything?

Arrived at the meeting in our unmarked van and many people were mulling about. Several armored cars with the usual barrage of guards were present, but these guy were well dressed in army gear uniforms and newer guns…we queued for the mandatory security check/body search. I was carrying my briefcase and inside was my iPod and a flashlight, which did not seem to go over well. Upon search every inch of my body was searched, then I was forcibly pulled out of the line and searched again by another mean looking guard with bad breath and teeth. He went through the brief case and did not like the small flashlight at all, asked me why I had it (through the interpretation of Nasrullah, who was also getting well searched by rude guards). Not finding what he wanted, he pulled us back into the line and out we went. Nas was very angry with the guards and apologized to me for their behavior, once again he takes responsibility to what happens hears and to me!

We enter a large compound area and have to go through more security guards in their new and expensive uniforms…it was funny because they were small guys, trying to fit into these uniforms. We go into a dark and cold hallway, full of more guards – turns out this is the Governor’s office. The meeting room is further down the hall. Inside, is a huge room with the biggest table I have ever seen. You could fit 80 around the table ( I counted). We sat at the opposite end of the table from the Governor. 45 others showed up, introductions made and around the room they talked about the rebuilding and Aid and the many pleas from the Afghan groups to the international community to build schools, road, books, furniture, etc and etc and etc. After 2 hours of sitting I had to pee from all the tea hours before. I left the room and went down the cold and dark corridor past the Governors office to where Nasrullah thought the bathroom was. It was not. I gestured to the guard and asked where the toilet was, which was at the opposite end of the cold and dark hall. The guard takes me there, walking with him I felt like a prisoner being led to the bathroom. I get there, he goes to open the door and it was locked. I really have to pee by now. He tells me to wait here and he leaves…. 5 min later he comes back and can’t find the key! This is now too crazy to believe. The guard motions me back down the dark prison lane, passed the other group of guards and out the door. He points to the end of the building and tells me to go there…of course I am thinking there is another toilet there. Wrong! People were coming and going from the end of the building, and as I got closer I realized it was a toilet alright, just without the actual toilet and building. Here, just off of main walkway, in public was where men urinated up against the wall and openly defecated. I could not quite believe it!! As I am peeing (weird) I am shaking my head in total disbelief, thinking…I (a water and sanitation guy) am at the office of the Governor of Kabul Province, in one of the most dangerous places in the world, attending a meeting of those who are reconstructing the Province – now peeing on his wall with strangers, in public, and trying not to step in shit. Could it get any more strange? Yes, it probably can.

I return to the meeting room, just in time to inform the audience that our NGO is active in 2 districts of the city and within an IDP camp, providing water, sanitation and hygiene promotion services and education. At the end of the meeting, Nasrullah approached the Governor and was able to secure a meeting (this guy is amazing) with the Gov. The Governor shook everyone’s hand as they left the room. We stayed behind and then walked with the Gov and his body guards back down the cold and dark hall, and into the Gov office. We go pass a big crowed of people waiting to see the Gov. His office was HUGE and posh with 8 gold colored couches, photos of him with President Karzi and others. We are seated, almost immediately served tea, and Nasrullah introduces me and reminds the Gov of our activities in the city. The Gov is big rolly polly man with a big gray beard, he thanks me and the work we do. Nas pulls out a letter and seeks to get the Gov to agree and sign it. He agrees and signs it, which essentially gives ACF provincial support to look for new areas to undertake water and sanitation interventions and find the most vulnerable. We finish the tea and shake hands and leave. What a memory this morning was… J

I am currently writing a large proposal for a project in Ghor province, it is becoming a tad stessfull as the deadline date approaches and I must meet it.  So, until then, I won’t be writing much for the blog site…despite the numerous stories unfolding.  Like the one, I heard yesterday while at the Ministry of Public Health collecting information about a cholera outbreak in the north.  Appears the water trucking company was filling his tank with river water, quite contaminated and with cholera, then he turned around and sold this water to the poor, telling them it was well water.  1700 people were infected and 7 died.  There was no investigation and no one was ever held accountable to this day….

I have been asked this question several times now, so…. for the record, this is what I do - at a high level.

Coordinate the activities of all ACF projects in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion in Afghanistan. Supervise 2 Project Managers, soon to be 3 …. Dealing with budgets, human resources, logistics, many coordination meetings with several other agencies UNICEF, etc.

Projects:

1) Kabul City; Targeted for 4500 most vulnerable families, 100 water wells with hand pumps, 300 pour flush latrines, 4500 families (men, women, kids, mullahs) get hygiene education and kits, repair of 65 existing hand pumps, 10 trained mechanics, 20 caretakers, 10 water committees and kiosk material, all with training. Total budget of $405,000 Euros funded by European Union …and over budget.

2) Ghor Province: 90 water wells and hands pumps for 3000 families, 250 latrines and hygiene promotion for the 3000 families, caretakers, mechanics, water committees, repair of hand pumps, etc.  $300 Euros

3) Day Kundi Province: No WASH activity, however I am writing a proposal for further water and sanitation project for the coming year.

4) Samangan Province: I am writing a proposal for future work; developing a Chlorine Contingency Plan for Cholera Outbreaks in cooperation with government agencies.  2500 people were effected by an cholera outbreak last year.

5) Parwan Province: Brand new project to tap into a spring, build a pipe line, rehabilitate a reservoir and set up a network with kiosks to give water to 7000 families at risk. Construction will be subcontracted. The work is in cooperation with government (as they cannot afford to build anything)  $500,000 Euros

6) Kabul - Charie Qamber: Trucked water (6 months) to Internally Displaced People (IDP’s) on the edge of the city. Approximately 700 families.  $45,000 Euros.

In a nut shell, that’s it….

Kids waiting for the free water from the Mosque, which only comes on twice a day.