Comments on: Thanks http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/2009/06/thanks/ Just another MSF BLOGS / BLOGUES weblog Sat, 01 Jan 2011 03:21:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: granta http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/2009/06/thanks/comment-page-1/#comment-1118 granta Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:02:44 +0000 http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/?p=148#comment-1118 Hey Andre, Thanks for the questions! I guess it really does depend where you end up. All of my writing is based on my experience in the southern province of Katanga. Between 2003 and 2005, I hear that this was not a very pleasant place to be. However, in 2010 things are pretty different as I was definitely working in what could only be termed a "stable post conflict" environment. There is a brutal history of rape, disease, malnutrition, intimidation and outwrite violence again the population. It is now much less obvious and, on the surface, things appear incredibly poor but stable and safe. It is only when you dig a bit deeper that you start to get into the bigger issues. So, in Katanga, it isn't really so IN YOUR FACE as you might expect. ...but that is in Katanga. I cannot really comment about the Kivus or the border region with Uganda. I have also heard of these atrocious stories. Regardless, from what I understand, the simple fact that you are foreign offers a large degree of protection and I think that the "humanitarian worker" in the DRC is still largely respected. Good luck! Grant Hey Andre,

Thanks for the questions! I guess it really does depend where you end up. All of my writing is based on my experience in the southern province of Katanga. Between 2003 and 2005, I hear that this was not a very pleasant place to be. However, in 2010 things are pretty different as I was definitely working in what could only be termed a “stable post conflict” environment. There is a brutal history of rape, disease, malnutrition, intimidation and outwrite violence again the population. It is now much less obvious and, on the surface, things appear incredibly poor but stable and safe. It is only when you dig a bit deeper that you start to get into the bigger issues. So, in Katanga, it isn’t really so IN YOUR FACE as you might expect.

…but that is in Katanga. I cannot really comment about the Kivus or the border region with Uganda. I have also heard of these atrocious stories. Regardless, from what I understand, the simple fact that you are foreign offers a large degree of protection and I think that the “humanitarian worker” in the DRC is still largely respected.

Good luck!

Grant

]]> By: André Clément http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/2009/06/thanks/comment-page-1/#comment-1112 André Clément Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:23:29 +0000 http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/?p=148#comment-1112 Grant, I'm a Canadian considering a one year assignment with a justice project that would have me working in the DRC provinces. Crisis Group and embassy sites describe a multitude of conflicts and warring factions that result in 1,200 daily deaths from hostile actions, disease and malnutrition to spell out anarchy and chaos across the DRC. Is it as bad as they describe? Or is there some degree of stability and a measure of security that allows for constructive work and minimal successes? André Grant, I’m a Canadian considering a one year assignment with a justice project that would have me working in the DRC provinces. Crisis Group and embassy sites describe a multitude of conflicts and warring factions that result in 1,200 daily deaths from hostile actions, disease and malnutrition to spell out anarchy and chaos across the DRC. Is it as bad as they describe? Or is there some degree of stability and a measure of security that allows for constructive work and minimal successes?

André

]]> By: Melanie http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/2009/06/thanks/comment-page-1/#comment-527 Melanie Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:12:10 +0000 http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/?p=148#comment-527 Today I found and read your entire blog. I thank you for writing during your entire 6 month term and sharing with the rest of your world your experiences. It really touched me. Today I found and read your entire blog. I thank you for writing during your entire 6 month term and sharing with the rest of your world your experiences. It really touched me.

]]> By: Tom (Germany) http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/2009/06/thanks/comment-page-1/#comment-400 Tom (Germany) Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:09:47 +0000 http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/?p=148#comment-400 Thank you very much for having written this blog. Excellent job! Thank you very much for having written this blog.
Excellent job!

]]> By: Rick McCharles http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/2009/06/thanks/comment-page-1/#comment-392 Rick McCharles Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:38:14 +0000 http://msf.ca/blogs/GrantA/?p=148#comment-392 Thanks Grant. It's been informative reading your posts from Africa. Thanks Grant.

It’s been informative reading your posts from Africa.

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