Human Terrain System

Saturday, August 8th
Kabul

I am really wiped out today - from a long, arduous weekend of field work and assessments. One of the biggest challenges here is determining how to incorporate a counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy into social marketing and behavior change communications for health. USAID and the Military are not speaking - at high levels. But those of us on the ground are compelled to do something. We're also contractually obligated to do something to work together.

I've been working with the US Army Human Terrain System - it's a controversial pilot project that embeds social scientists and aid workers in with the troops - to train them on community development and to sensitize the troops to cultural issues. The initiative is led by Steve Fondacaro (on the left). Like me, Steve is driven to continue his work because, like me, he lost three beloved colleagues here. He wears their name bands on a his wrist at all times. By stark contrast, Management Sciences for Health has taken down the photos of my three colleagues. When I made a visit to their office and asked where their photos were, they shrugged their shoulders and said, "..somebody probably has their photo in a box somewhere ..."

Steve wants to carry on the legacy of his colleague Paula Lloyd, Ph.D. - who was passionate about women's rights in Afghanistan. Dr. Lloyd lost her life last January after she had been doused with gasoline and set on fire by the Taliban. Steve is determined never to have that happen again. So he keeps a vigilant eye on me. He left the compound today for his home leave. But the big guy on the right - Mac is staying across the hall from me. Funny how underneath all the battle rattle these are super nice guys. God be with Dr. Paula Lloyd. And in spite of Management Sciences for Health atrocious dismissal of Christi Gadeu, Carmen Urduneta and Amy Neibling - they have not been forgotten either.