07 April 2011

Mazar, Afghanistan: On Friday, 1 April at 3 p.m. I received an invitation for a volleyball game at the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) compound, five minutes drive away from our guest house. Upon arrival, I found international colleagues from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other United Nations (UN) agencies playing. We quickly joined the game and played two games. Just about to start the third one, we heard some firework-like sounds coming from within Mazar city. Other colleagues, however, recognized the sounds as gun shots. Instantly, we received confirmation that there were protestors and the sounds were indeed gun shots in the UNAMA office compound.

Taking cover
Everyone, looking terrified and not really sure about what to do, started seeking where to hide. I guess no one could even remember any security briefings they ever attended upon arrival in the country. Fortunately, someone mentioned 'Bunker' and at this point, we all realized we needed to rush to the bunker.

Four hours in the bunker
20 people (16 international and 4 national staff) in the bunker, we all felt relieved and protected as the room is well secured with relatively comfortable beds - considering the circumstances. In no time, our UNAMA colleagues supplied us with mineral water, plus a short briefing in case of an emergency. In an effort to help diffuse stress levels among ourselves, we tried to crack some jokes over the whole incident. Within me however, I prayed to my creator meaning every single word that came from my heart, and every minute seemed like an hour.

While this was happening, our mobile phones became so busy with different people calling and texting to find out about the situation and whether or not we were all safe. We later realized that the UNAMA security radio system had been tampered with and was no longer functional. We further lost contact with the four UNAMA colleagues who had opted to go to the office on this fateful day. I felt a deep pain in my stomach and feared the worst. At this juncture, moods in the bunker drastically changed with the room characterized by silence.

Lying on my bed, I got worried.  What would happen if protesters decided to come to our hiding place?  Would we be brutally injured or killed? What would happen to my family (my wife, kids and dependents) if I were killed?  These were terrible and very horrifying thoughts indeed. At that moment, I realized the sacrifice – serving the vulnerable Afghan community where lives of humanitarian workers could be in danger anytime. I later received a phone call from the UNV Programme Manager with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Kabul, Mr. Stuart Moran, to inquire on whether I was safe and what else he could do to help. This was so relieving to me, as I felt I had someone who was able to remember me at this difficult time.

Later, it was confirmed that actually seven people working for the UN were killed – including four Nepalese guards – and one was seriously injured. At this point, hell broke loose; some of our colleagues broke down in tears and the situation became worse.

These confirmations, however, did not stop the team from checking on how the situation was unfolding outside. Our guards ensured that they updated us from time to time. They later assured us that the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) – Afghanistan was on his way from Kabul to Mazar to relocate us.

Four hours later, after protesters had dispersed, we emerged from the bunker and quickly arranged transport to return to the guest house. Upon safe arrival, we felt very relieved after such a memorable but terrifying experience.

Good night?
I cannot remember how many times I rolled from side to side on my bed trying to position myself in a comfortable way - at 3 a.m. the following day (2 April), I was still awake.

On Saturday, 2 April, 9 a.m., the SRSG, accompanied by the injured UNAMA Head, Mr. Pavel, paid a visit to our guest house where all surviving international UN staff had gathered. I could not hold back my tears of joy when I saw Pavel, it was unbelievable! We were finally requested to pack in readiness for redeployment to Kabul the following day.

Do I surrender and quit?
I am now relocated in Kabul, but still committed to continue serving the poor and hungry in Afghanistan even under such extremely challenging conditions.

No retreat-no-surrender..!!