I’ve spent the past few days, getting ramped up to return to southern Ethiopia. This time I’m heading back to Moyale, Ethiopia at the border of Ethiopia and Kenya to put together a strategy for integrating low technology options for a community based drought early warning system. Back in 2006, I helped conceptualize collecting public health and livelihoods information for decision making of communities, local government offices and an international NGO. 6 years later I’m heading back again but this time in another role, but with a very similar perspective. More on that in another blog!
But so much of what we do in the humanitarian sector is about providing support to affected communities during disasters & conflict. Gearing up to do that in the field, requires a lot of logistics and planning.
Here is a photo of my field backpack. 11kg, in weight. ( better then my 13kg for Mozambique!) and less than what is required on a UN Charter flight. In 2006, water was somewhat reliable, electricity every other day, and Plasmodium falciparum is prevalent.- so this affects what you pack and how you prepare.
As tech always goes, I’m sitting in the Frankfurt airport trying to upload a photo for this blog but failed 3 times. Good times, and I’m in a fully developed country 😉
Will be in touch when I arrive in Addis Ababa.