Setting up a lifeline in disaster situations

"I often arrive in the field at an early stage in disaster situation, before any communications equipment gets there. So there can be a lot of problem solving to be done.’’

Although Per Hallenborg has done IT and commu­nications work on about ten SRSA operations, the lasting impressions he carries with him have nothing to do with technol­ogy. His strongest memory is of meeting a group of refugees in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For operational personnel in the field, communication is both a lifeline and an essential tool for the job. Contact with the outside world is vital in order to be able to give and receive information and request assistance, equipment and other resources — even for the most self-sufficient team.

"Short wave radio often forms the basis of our communication. It's a stable system that's easy to use, free, and is always the last thing to stop working in difficult conditions. Satellite communica­tion is more of a bonus," explains Per Hallenborg.

"I often arrive in the field at an early stage in a disaster situation, before any communications equipment gets there. So there can be a lot of problem solving to be done."

Per Hallenborg joined his first operation in 1997, three years after the mass genocide in Rwanda, when around two million Hutus fled the country, many to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aim of the operation was to transport refugees back to their homes in Rwanda.

at the time of the operation, civil war was raging in the Demo­cratic Republic of Congo. Laurent Kabila was advancing through the country with a militia mostly made up of Tutsis — the ethnic group responsible for the genocide of the Hutus — planning to over­throw President Mobuto.

The situation for the refugees was dire. Some of them were able to take refuge in rural villages. Others fled to the rainforest and tried to survive a nomadic existence. Fear and suspicion reigned.

The fear of Kabila's rebels drove the refugees westwards, and so a UN office was established in Mbandaka in the west of the country, 3000km from Rwanda. "We had received information that there was a group of refugees in the rainforest further up the River Congo, and we went to find them by boat. We found over 300 people, many of whom were in a serious condition," says Per Hallenborg.

"it was an enormous privilege to have the opportunity to help them. I gave out energy biscuits to the children. I could see their joy and gratitude as they lined up to get biscuits."

Per Hallenborg's team took the refugees to their base, where the were registered and given medical care and help to get home.

The refugees who lived in the villages lived with Hutu families or other friendly tribes. It wasn't easy for them to determine wheth­er the UN team were friends or enemies, and they often went into hiding when the teams arrived.

"We solved that problem by giving the village elders standard small radio receivers, and then we broadcast information explaining who we were and what we were trying to do."

ALTHOUGH PER HALLENBORG's job description only covers operational IT and communications work, in reality his tasks vary widely. He could end up working on electric­ity, water supplies, sanitation, or building field offices or housing. That's one of the most enjoyable things about going on a mission — that everyone helps and supports each other. It's possible to solve any problem when you don't think in terms of prestige and hierarchy. Swedes have a reputation for do­ing what needs done, regardless of their normal responsibilities - and they are loved for it.

"When the SRSA comes to town, everybody can relax..."