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An Ericsson Response volunteer's experience in Pakistan

My name is Jan Heremo and I'm an Ericsson Response Volunteer. It's been 8 weeks since I left Sweden to go to Pakistan to work as a telecom delegate for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

December, 2001

My mission is to support and maintain the telecommunications systems so that relief workers can work as efficiently as possible in the Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. Since I arrived, I've completed various tasks for fixed phone communication, mobile phones, satellite phones, short wave radio (HF/VHF/UHF) and IT support.
The journey started with a crash course in Geneva where I learned which standards are valid within the IFRC when it comes to computer networks, software, radio equipment etc. I also learned how to program the different radio stations used out in the field. It is important to follow the standards for maintenance and support so that the next telecom delegate can easily takeover. Budget, project management and purchasing were also part of the training program.

When I arrived in Islamabad the situation was rather tense. There were many demonstrations against the bombings in Afghanistan. As a result, the IFRC established strict security rules for their staff. They outlined where and when we could go out and whether we needed to obtain permission from the Head of our Delegation or not.
Now, the situation is much calmer, but only a couple of days ago a UN car was shot at outside Peshawar.

So far, my work has mainly consisted of IT support in the IFRC office in Islamabad. There is a network with about 15 computers. To be able to use e-mail we have a computer connected with a modem to an Internet supplier and everyone is sharing this connection on the network. Due to bad phone lines and congested Internet suppliers, this has generated a lot of work for me.
I have also installed a similar network in the office in Quetta, close to the border to Afghanistan. I have not yet had the possibility to visit the third office located in Peshawar. As I am the only telecom engineer on site, I have also been appointed the post of specialist on purchasing fax and copy machines.
Another important part of my job is to see to that we get a license to use short wave radio (Very High Frequency (VHF) and High Frequency (HF)) in Pakistan. This is important from a security point of view, as short wave radio is the only available means of communication in the refugee camps. Unfortunately, this is a long process because there are several different authorities involved.

I have also been networking with contacts within the telecom sector in the other organizations that are present in Pakistan.
The direction of the IFRC work has changed slightly since I arrived. Initially, it was to focus on large refugee movements from Afghanistan to Pakistan, but when Pakistan decided to keep the borders closed, relatively few refugees arrived. As a result, we are now working on supplying the refugee camps in Chaman with water and sanitation constructions. Other ongoing projects involve health and care in the camps. Most recently, the focus switched to support relief work in Afghanistan once we received information that it was possible to enter the country. The IFRC now has several representatives in Kabul where the situation is rather stable. I am on stand-by to go to Kabul to help out if I am needed.
During my travel to the IFRC office in Quetta, I had the opportunity to visit Chaman, a city close to the Afghan boarder and the cities of Kandahar and Spin Boldak, often mentioned on the radio these days. In this area there are several IFRC refugee camps. It was very interesting to investigate and plan the radio connection for these sites.
The Baluchistan area, where Chaman and Quetta are located, is mainly a dry desert like landscape. According to a representative from the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, no rain has fallen in Quetta since 1996. This explains why there are so many dead fruit trees and bushes along the roads. The newspapers say the humidity in the air is 15% and temperature at night fall below 0°C.
Thousands of tents fill the refugee camps in the area. The ground is dry and dust always whirls in the air. The dust sticks covers everything, making it impossible to keep anything clean. Our visit drew great attention in the camp and curious children gathered around us wondering if we brought something for them.
I'm not sure how much longer I'll be here in Pakistan but the experience so far has been incredible. It feels good to be able to help people simply by sharing what I know about communications technology. I am lucky to have been a part of this.

Jan Herremo

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