Having recently completed a Master’s degree in Human Security and Peacebuilding at Royal Roads University, Whitehorse resident Kevin Rumsey wanted to apply what he'd learned on an international level. When the opportunity to go to Afghanistan on a one-year contract with Action Contre la Faim came up, he accepted right away and took a leave of absence from his job as a water strategist with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in Yukon. 

by Kevin Rumsey

It’s usually children, often small girls, who fetch their family’s water.  ____________

I worked with Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger) as coordinator for water, sanitation and hygiene. There were 40 national staff and four French expats assisting with this initiative designed to prevent malnutrition and the spread of deadly disease.

The project entailed coordinating the management of six water and sanitation projects involving about 170,000 people at risk. Other tasks included the development of major proposals for funding of new water projects by international donors. Also important to me was improving staff capacity through training and mentoring.

It’s usually children, often small girls, who fetch their family’s water. It’s amazing how they can manage the heavy weight of one 20-litre yellow  plastic jug; never mind the six they carry at one time with the help of a wheelbarrow.

Once the water is collected, after having waited for their turn at the hand pump, the children walk the long and arduous path home which for many is more than a kilometer away.

This is the routine twice a day for so many Afghans – at least, those lucky enough to have access to water wells!
 
It is estimated that 70 per cent of the 31 million people who live in this country do not have access to safe water.

Kevin Rumsey was the only Canadian on the Afghanistan mission and found that living and working with four expats from France brought challenges and much humor to the team. ____________

Trying to provide safe water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion to the most vulnerable people here is not an easy task.
 
Afghanistan is a very dangerous country to live and work in, both for Afghans and foreigners. It is known, in fact, to be one of the most difficult humanitarian missions for Action Contre laFaim next to Somalia. 

Rural areas are much worse and, in order to survive here, the issue of ‘security’ dominates all aspects of program delivery and working conditions. There are restrictions of movement which prohibit even the simple act of walking in city streets. Movement is always planned and different routes taken daily. All expats carry two cell phones and a radio mobile phone and every move outside the office or home must be called in.

Up to seven million Afghans rely on food aid everyday and access to nutrition continues to be a critical issue for more than five million Afghans. Food production is insufficient and prices have risen as much as 130 per cent on some items.

A long drought, 30 years of war and continued poverty have caused havoc and desperation for these poor – though resilient – people. I have seen them using unsafe water from sources such as roadside ditches, polluted creeks and rivers, and open springs in pastures used for goats and cows.

To add to the water challenges, the ground water of Kabul city is contaminated due to lack of sewage management and, throughout the country, the water table – which has been lowered by drought – is forcing many wells to dry up.

It’s amazing how they can manage the heavy weight of one 20-litre yellow plastic jug; never mind the six they carry at one time with the help of a wheelbarrow. ____________

I like the water intervention policy of Action Contre la Faim. It promotes sustainability because there is local participation in all aid activities including water provision (drilled or hand-dug, storage and distribution), sanitation facilities and hygiene education.

The beneficiaries are also involved in the selection of water points and latrines. Newly-formed water committees identify caretakers and mechanics who are then trained to maintain electric or hand pumps.

Action Contre laFaim also repairs old and broken hand pumps, ensures protection and diversion of surface water springs and rehabilitates underground springs and irrigation heads.

Hygiene promoters regularly visit households to monitor hygiene awareness and practices. School children and teachers are given hygiene training. Hygiene kits and training are also given out to the target populations. Kits include 20-litre plastic water containers, seven-litre plastic pour containers, soap, toilet paper, shampoos and wash basins.

The participation, training and ownership of the new water and sanitation facilities by the beneficiaries themselves is the key to sustainability and ACF ensures this is carried out.

Being the only Canadian on the Afghanistan mission and living and working with four expats from France also brought challenges – and much humor – to the team when trying to understand each other’s culture and language, especially since I don't understand French.

The work is hard, there are many long days and it can be stressful and frustrating but to witness very poor people having access to water and basic sanitation and knowing that I helped accomplish this for them is enormously rewarding and motivating.