Recently UNHCR interviewed Claas Morlang — an ERT member deployed in Sudan — about his experiences there and the challenges he faced.

• How did you get to Sudan and what were your first impressions?

When our nine-seater plane arrived on the airstrip, we were met by government officials who drove us to Bor. My first impression was that everything was destroyed. The road was full of potholes big enough to drown in – allegedly a soldier was attacked and eaten by a crocodile in one of them. It was clear the needs in Bor were enormous. There were no boreholes, no electricity, virtually no functioning schools. There were no supplies whatsoever; no telephones, no post, no hotel, no nothing. All we had was what we managed to take with us.

• Who was in your team?

There were two others in the main team – Mathias Omar, a Protection Officer from Tanzania and Anita Brunader an Admin. Officer from Vienna.

• What were people’s expectations of the team?

Expectations were high all round – not just the refugees’ expectations of us, but also the expectations the local government had of the UN and the whole international community. They came to our office with all of their concerns – from food shortages and medical problems to transit centres – because there was no one else to talk to.

• What dangers did you face?

On December 12th Bor exploded in riots and disputes after the alleged killing of a local boy by Arabs. We were in our compound and three of our neighbours were attacked. People were destroying houses and property. We didn’t know if the protesters were going to stop at our compound and if there would be shooting. In that moment, all my instincts told me to run away – but the safest place was in the compound with the other team members, close to our cars. We had bullet proof vests and helmets and we packed everything ready to go if we needed to. Luckily it calmed down. It was very sad to see how the situation changed from welcoming to hostile. We had to be extremely careful from that day onwards and I was frustrated that the curfew that was imposed prevented me from helping as much as I wanted. On another afternoon militias executed the second in command of the southern forces SPLA. We could hear the shooting and then there was a curfew. A counter attack followed – there was shooting 150 metres away and a massive police and military presence on the ground.

• What difference does the ERT make?

Somebody has to be there, and we were. Refugees go home and there are uncontrolled population movements. We have the mobility to see what help is needed, where and when – and to get it there. We can’t change the situation but we can deliver the most urgently needed aid. We saw people hungry in Sudan, so we ensured they got food immediately. We also provide an “umbrella” for other organisations to come in and help, who don’t have the ERT structure to rely on.

• What did you learn in Sudan?

It is a great experience to have team spirit and a good team to rely on. This relationship allowed us to respond more effectively to the demands around us, by deciding together what each of us should do to best help refugees. We also used our experiences to make plans for the future.

• Why do you feel the ERTs deserve support?

The Emergency Response Teams are unique – the UN and the international community have very few mechanisms to deal with emergencies. If you want to help and deliver immediate aid to people who are in catastrophes like the earthquake in Pakistan or the tsunami, it’s really the ERTs who are the first ones on the ground. In Sudan it was the same –we were the first ones there. All the teams are trained and ready to go. We are very grateful to our supporters whose donations are bringing help to the people who need it most. We hope others will be inspired to become a member of the ERT by giving a regular monthly donation which will help those in crisis – immediately.

Join the Emergency Response Team at www.unhcr.ca/ERT

Top: Krisan camp in Ghana. © UNHCR/N.Jehu-Hoyah

ERT: How you can help

Our Emergency Response Team (ERT) is trained to react instantly to any refugee crisis. Often the first on the scene, the team organises vital basic help for people forced to fl ee their homes. From delivering tents and arranging healthcare, to purchasing trucks to transport water and distributing food to the hungry, the ERT needs to get help to those who need it – fast.

By supporting the team with a monthly gift, you can help provide the steady, reliable income that enables them to prepare for emergencies. In return, you’ll receive an exclusive membership card and inside briefings and news on the team’s lifesaving work in the field.

In one month alone, your $25 gift could provide 7 children left out in the cold by the earthquake with warm blankets. Another, it could pay for enough soap for 12 refugee families to keep infections at bay. Another month, your donation could enable 25 boys and girls from Darfur who were forced into Chad to attend primary school for a year...

You choose how much you wish to donate each month. It’s up to you whether to give through your chequing account or credit card. You even have the option of changing the size of your gift or cancelling at any time.

To join the Emergency Response Team or for more information, call 1-877-232-0909 or visit www.unhcr.ca/ERT