2 minute read
UNICEF
Laura McDermid continues her stories of Iris McCallum’s flying exploits in East Africa
The gibbous moon crests the horizon in a blaze of crimson. Not for the first time, I find myself marvelling at the stark contrasts of this harsh desert landscape. By day, Wajir is a featureless dustbowl that is transformed into a celestial wonderland by night.
IN 1991 UNICEF’S AFRICA division recruited me as a pilot. I was initially based in Mandera, the north-eastern province of Kenya, which is bordered by Somalia to the north and Ethiopia to the east.
A year later the compound was moved to Wajir County in the south-west due to its proximity to the military base which had a good runway and offered better security for the two Cessna 208 Caravans.
As fighting increased between rival factions, the then president of Somalia was forced to flee Mogadishu, resulting in the collapse of the central government. Without governance, various armed factions known as ‘clans’ began competing for influence, and customary law collapsed.
UNICEF has been operating in Somalia since 1972 and has continued to render services to children and women, working with local administrations where they exist, Somali communities, local and international nongovernmental organizations, and other UN agencies to help deliver services to this ‘failed state’.
Iris wrestling with the seats in Baby Mak.
My work varied between transporting medicines and food as well as flying the injured to hospital and shuttling UNICEF officials around.
Recently I’d flown a high-ranking official to meet with General Mohammed Farah Aideed, the newly self-proclaimed president and later the ‘most wanted’ person by the USA military. Whilst the official was whiskedoff to meet with Aideed, I was guarded by armed men who found me to be rather intriguing.
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