A serendipitous opportunity recently presented itself: a member of the American Red Cross's International Disaster Response Unit, newly arrived back home in Washington, DC from fieldwork in support of the Afghan crisis, agreed to an interview about his experiences in the field.

Mr. Greenhalgh's comments make clear the need for great flexibility on the part of development and emergency response organizations to adapt to a rapidly changing situation. This interview took place on 28 November 2001.

RH: You have just returned from Uzbekistan.  What was your organization doing there?

LG: For many years, the people of Central Asia have been in crisis, from Afghan refugees to the Aral Sea health conditions. The American Red Cross has long been active around the Aral Sea - providing food and health programs - we've now been looking at expanding our levels of assistance to help Afghan refugees.

RH: How long have you been working on the refugee situation?

LG: The Red Cross/Red Crescent has been working with the refugees in this area for years. In the first part of September, I was in Iran working with the Iranian Red Crescent on the increased provision of clean, safe water to the 1.5 million Afghan refugees living along their border. I was pulled back here just after [the events of] September 11th happened; I returned [to the region] as soon as it was prudent.

While I was Stateside, President Bush announced America's Fund for Afghan Children (AFAC), designating the American Red Cross administer of the fund. We've been tasked to turn the compassion of American children into things that will save the lives of Afghan children. Knowing that we are responsible to these kids - like my own younger sisters - has been a source of increased motivation for all of us on the AFAC team.

The new inflow of funds jumpstarted our programs already in development. The projections of increased population flow were dramatic - at one point the UNHCR suggested that 5 million additional people would become refugees. We increased our working partnerships with the organizations operating in the existing refugee camps to bolster their capacity. We were working with the various Red Crescent National Societies in the region, the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. I was head of our team in Uzbekistan; we also have a team based in Pakistan.

RH: So you were pre-positioned to care for those refugees, if they materialized?

LG: Yes, but it very rapidly became clear that there wasn't going to be this huge outward movement of people. Obviously the war itself changed and very quickly we became more concerned with the situation within Afghan borders. The people weren't leaving the country, they were simply leaving their homes in towns and living in the open, away from the bombs. That's where we have been focusing our efforts: getting tents, blankets and kitchen utensils directly into the hands of needy Afghanis.

It's a fluid situation in Afghanistan, for beneficiaries and aid workers alike. Security concerns change daily and needs continue to grow.

RH: But your brothers and sisters in the region's Red Crescent National Societies, your partners as you said, were still there doing their job even when the international humanitarian aid workers had to leave?

LG: Yes, they were delivering food, supplying hospital staff - there were all kinds of basic relief being provided. I'm lucky to be a part of that ‘family', if you will, of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and workers.

RH: Is it especially accommodating to your work for the American Red Cross that the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement has a set of principles across countries and across societies, isn't it?

LG: Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies follow a set of seven fundamental principles that apply to all humanity. They are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. Obviously this isn't the first conflict situation that we have had to deal with. When crisis or disaster affects one of our partner societies, we all work together to provide support. The fundamental principles provide a foundation of understanding from which we all work.

RH: Side by side with you then, were there other nations' Red Cross and Red Crescent units from around the world who were also responding?

LG: Yes, although during natural disaster you see more societies sending staff. In conflict situations like Afghanistan you do see some larger societies involved in operations. However, many societies choose to support the work through cash donations or particular supplies or donated personnel or a combination of these things.

RH: How difficult was it to deliver the assistance?

LG: Uzbekistan is, I can speak from my experiences, an excellent country to work in. Uzbekistan's Red Crescent Society is very supportive of relief efforts, including programs for the rehabilitation of land mine victims. The American Red Cross had personnel already there, so that gave us an entrée.

There's basically one transfer point [from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan], using barges to cross the river. There is also the Freedom Bridge. The UN has been trying to negotiate the use of the bridge*. I was there assessing whether or not that was going to be feasible, looking at warehousing, looking at transfer options, and so on.

RH: And you were going to have to contract people to accomplish this work?

LG: Yes. Right now, thankfully, the supply pipelines are somewhat more open then we ever dared to hope...but the situation changes on a daily basis. The Friendship Bridge was still closed when I was there. The ferries are operating. The closest, major city in Uzbekistan is Termez, providing good access into Northern Afghanistan where there is some of the highest IDP populations. But there is still a security problem.

RH: What U.S. organizations do you work with?

LG: At some point the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance will work on our behalf and on behalf of NGOs for lift (air transport) of relief supplies. We work with the White House as well, through a designated coordinator because of the America's Fund for Afghan Children.

RH: Things have been running pretty smoothly with the military providing lift support?

LG: Yes. It's always a negotiation process, but they've been very supportive.

RH: Have you had any experience with military on the ground?

LG: Yes. There was a Department of Defense civilian affairs representative as well. He was trying to get a good understanding of how we operate, what our activities were and what possible areas there could be for cooperation. Cooperation is very delicate in conflict situations because the Red Cross has to remain as impartial and neutral as possible. However, there are often times and clear opportunities for partnerships.

It is fairly standard operating procedure for us to link up with the OFDA DART - Disaster Assistance Response Team - and other organizations' quick assessment teams. In Uzbekistan, we first met up with the US Agency for International Development because the DART hadn't arrived. Then once the DART came, we worked with them directly.

RH: Doing what?

LG: A great example would be negotiating access to the planes that were able to fly into the region. OFDA often has a very solid relationship with the other players who have flights coming and going.

RH: But that activity is safe away from the battle area where such access might become more of an issue?

LG: During all relief operations, conflict or natural disaster, you assume a level of risk in operations. We work to quickly analyze each unique situation and opportunity, develop several plans, prioritize them and move forward safely. Safety is important not only for the relief workers, but also for the beneficiaries.

RH: So they may have expectations, but you always have to counter that with your seven principles.

LG: Yes, you always have to find that balance and make compromises between your ability to operate on the ground with the individuals under certain circumstances. We work hard to try to protect and maintain our neutrality in the provision of relief and in our partnerships. Now, that being said, obviously there are areas where having a partnership is key. In any situation, your friends can be some of your most important assets.

RH: Anything you want to add?

LG: The American Red Cross is committed to providing relief and helping impacted communities help themselves over the long recovery. Long after the emergency phase is over, there will still be needs to be met. For example, a devastated infrastructure means reduced services including access to clean water, enough nutritious food and basic health care for many years in the future. The repatriation and resettlement process will also take a long time and refugees still need assistance. Our efforts and our focus will shift back to stabilizing the lives of Afghan people until the emergency needs are over or, with the initial assistance of development agencies, they can be met by their own society.

*The Freedom Bridge opened Saturday, 8 December 2001, permitting a greatly improved flow of personnel and supplies for relief efforts.

Up to top