Dateline, Sunny
with a Chance of Gunfire
Transcript
SISTER: Hi. Hi everyone. Hello dad.
BENHAM NAZEMI: Hello baba.
In suburban Perth, three generations of the Nazemi family are getting
together for a summer barbecue.
BENHAM NAZEMI: It is hot, I will give it to you.
BROTHER: This dish is called a chicken kebab. It is very native and
quite a popular Persian dish.
But not everyone is here today to enjoy the feast. A beloved daughter is
missing.
BENHAM NAZEMI: Dorsa, missed a lot of the time of the family, and
she loved my kebabs. Ready.
SISTER: She misses every day stuff.
They miss her affection and good natured bossiness. And they will never
get used to the fact she chooses to work in one of the most dangerous countries
in the world.
FARAH NAZEMI: Every night Dorsa comes into my mind. Is she safe,
is she okay? It’s not easy, knowing your child is in a war zone.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN, ICRC HEAD OF OPERATIONS - JONGLEI: My mum
would be very happy that even in the middle of the bush I’m applying mascara.
It's the only thing she’d be happy about.
MAN: Anyone who has one or two cards, bring them.
It is a long way from Perth, to this hot and dusty airstrip in South
Sudan.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Hi this is Dorsa. You sent an email regarding
the evacuations from Motot for tomorrow? OK. One crisis managed.
Dorsa has one of the toughest gigs you can imagine.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Where we going?
Running operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross in
the state of Jonglei…at the heart of one of the worst humanitarian crises in
the world.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Now I just got approval that we can go to
where there was a tribal attack, where people had lost their belongs, people
were killed and wounded.
REPORTER: Meanwhile in the background?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Meanwhile in the background we are at an
airdrop distribution point in the middle of nowhere, where we provide food from
the air.
MAN: To control, I am clearing the aircraft for the first drop?
Any issues from this side?
PIOLOT: I think it’s okay.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: You drop a pin anywhere on the map of South
Sudan and there are needs. It is a huge burden on your shoulder and it keeps
you, certainly keeps me wake at night.
MAN: Red 917 you’re clear to drop.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Excellent drop,
gentlemen. Excellent drop.
REPORTER: Why are you actually dropping food here?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: This is a country that is currently going
through a protracted war, there is civil war, there is communal clashes, people
cannot stay in one place to cultivate, so you have humanitarian aid, to try to
bridge the gap.
South Sudan's vicious Civil War has driven millions to flee the country.
Millions more are at risk of starvation, without foreign aid like this. Not
many of us would make the sacrifices necessary to do this job but Dorsa insists
she is no hero.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: When they say oh you're a humanitarian and
you must be a saint or you are saving people from death, and then, they put you
on a pedestal, we're none of that. This is bigger than you, it is much bigger
than you.
For the past six months, this has been Dorsa 's home, a fortified
compound in the town of Bor. There is a strict 8pm curfew but even here you are
not 100% safe. Just a few weeks ago, three other MGO compounds in town were
attacked and robbed.
REPORTER: You do like cooking?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Yes. It's the only time that my brain does
not wander off to work.
Their office is in Jonglei, one of the most volatile regions in South
Sudan.
MAN: How's it going?
REPORTER: Good morning.
That makes it one of the most challenging areas for the Red Cross to
operate in.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Security checks need to be done on time. We
are going to be on the field more often than not now that the dry season is
upon us.
At their morning meeting Dorsa warns her team to expect an increase in
hostilities.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Just the way that we're busy, the two parties to
the armed conflict are also going to be busy, that means that it is even more
important that you stay alert, and vigilant and have I made myself understood?
Very good. Have a good day, guys.
The main aim of the international committee of the Red Cross, or ICRC is
to help victims of armed conflict. To do this Dorsa has to think like a
military commander but at the same time act completely neutral. A skill she
honed after postings in Nigeria and Afghanistan.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: I just put myself in the minds of the two
parties to the conflict, and try to guess where would be the next possible
offensive. Where would the population move to? The minute a clash will happen,
they just disperse and that's key, because the minute that they move, that's
where we move to assist. Some people would say that this is military
strategy, it's survival by default.
Manoeuvring round South Sudan's war safely is incredibly difficult.
NEWS READ: In South Sudan where hundreds have been killed in
fierce fighting, the violence started Thursday in the capital of Juba.
The country is cracking apart, as fighting engulfs new areas, towns have
been burned down and civilians raped and massacred.
CROWD: South Sudan Republic, yeah!
But this wasn't how the story of South Sudan was supposed to go.
SALVAR KIIR, PRESIDENT OF SOUTH SUDAN: As the President of South
Sudan I shall be faithful. We’ll never allow political power to be transferred
through violence.
The world's newest nation was born to great fanfare, just eight years
ago. After a long, bloody struggle to split from Sudan. But a bitter rivalry
quickly developed between the new President, and his Vice President.
VICE PRESIDENT: We have declared his regime illegitimate.
They splintered the country along ethnic lines, Dinka versus Nuer…
NEWS READER: There are dead bodies on the street. Some of them look like
look they have been here for days.
MAN: They are targeting Nuer… if you are speaking Nuer language
you will being targeted….government forces.
REPORTER: How did it all go so wrong, so fast?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: When certainly people cannot agree on
way forward, it creates doubt, it creates distrust, and when there is no trust,
there is no dialogue then things fall apart.
Dorsa is trying to help the people caught up in this war, to do that she
has to negotiate with all sides, so local knowledge and connections go a long
way.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: In the context of the northern part, what we
call the opposition controlled areas it is very useful to have someone who is
from that area, because I'm a white girl from Australia, who would not
understand the nuances.
Today, as she heads into rebel territory she is taking a trusted guide.
RUACH GATBEL, GUIDE: You can call me, I’m about to get on the
plane.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: We are ready to go.
Ruach Gatbel is Nuer and this war is personal. His mother and daughter
live close to the front line. But years of working for the ICRC have taught him
to think beyond his tribe.
RUACH GATBEL: In the heart of humanitarian, although your family members
are affected by war, you need to remain as humanitarian workers, whereby you
can be neutral any time.
We are heading to a town where Dorsa and Ruach hope to help people who
have lost limbs as a result of the war.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Welcome to Old Fangak. The rainy season, we
could not even walk down here because all mud would get stuck to our boots.
They want to bring a mobile prosthetics unit from the capital because in
rebel areas like this, amputees are often afraid to travel into enemy territory
to get help. But Dorsa will need the local Governor to guarantee the safety of
workers from the capital. Trust is in short supply during a Civil War. It won't
be easy.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: I got coffee! Coffee! If I fall, forget about
me, but the coffee cannot be wasted. There we go. Put your camera down I have
brought you a little coffee.
Dorsa's job often takes her close to the front lines and when it does,
she has to let both sides know what she's doing.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: It is essential because with this context you
never know when the first bullet is going to be shot, so you have to make sure
that they know we're coming. You would be quite naive to think that the danger
is not around the corner.
According to the UN South Sudan is the most dangerous country in the
world for aid workers. 28 were killed just last year including an ICRC driver. That
is one reason why diplomacy is a big part of Dorsa's job.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Hello. How are you? How are you. Good to see
you.
Terrible atrocities have been committed by all sides of this conflict.
But she is not here to judge them.
GOVERNOR: How are you?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Dorsa, pleased to meet you.
There are amputees who may not get the prosthetics they need unless
Dorsa can get the Governor Kuol Wai’s cooperation, this is the first time they
have met.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: I want to gauge your interest if we were to
create a mobile service, in opposition controlled area, such as Old Fangkak,
how would the security of these technical staff that work for the authorities
on the other side be guaranteed by the authorities on the other side. We need
to make sure they are not going to be arrested or harmed, or so on, so forth,
if you catch my drift.
GOVERNOR: It is a good program for us because even in New Fangkak
now there are some wounded who are looking for how they can actually manage to
get artificial legs. Now bringing technicians from Juba, can we trust them?
That will be the question. Yeah. We cannot trust them.
It sounds like a no, but Dorsa's not deterred.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: It's open to discussion. When you drop an
idea like this on anybody's table, you need to give them time to digest it.
For now, without trust between the two sides, the rebels can't accept
much-needed help for their own people.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Civilians are the number one priority.
It is only the reputation of the ICRC that keeps the option on the
table.
REPORTER: You obviously know that they are sitting down and
talking to all sides in this conflict, to people that you consider to be your
enemy, why do you trust them?
GOVERNOR: I know ICRC are neutral, they are neutral and they have no
problem with anyone in South Sudan. And that's why we trust them.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Thank you so much. It was a pleasure meeting
you.
REPORTER: Is it hard being friendly to people who might be
responsible for doing unspeakable things?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: If I let my personal feelings about the
person who is sitting in front of me get in the way of me having an objective
view of what I'm trying to achieve...
REPORTER: I am not asking about letting them get in the way, but
do you have those feelings?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be human but
would I let that cloud my judgment, I cannot afford that because they will
sense it. It is, neutrality is not just me or confidentiality is not just the
say, Amos, it is living it.
The ICRC's neutrality is key to everything Dorsa does. She might not be
publicly critical, the way some other aid workers can be but she is trusted.
That is what gives her access and influence. And when the shit hits the fan
these are the things that help her save lives.
REPORTER: Tired?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Super tired but satisfied. Seven people
wounded. Where are these wounded?
The next morning several lives hang in the balance.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: OK, do you know if these seven, are their
injuries severe or not?
A government offensive has left three dead, and seven wounded. They
don't know if the casualties are soldiers or civilians.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Bye, bye. So they moved out of the garrison?
RUACH GATBEL: This is where my mother is.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: This is where your mum is, and your daughter?
RUACH GATBEL: Yes.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: I will send a message now.
Dorsa needs to evacuate the wounded as soon as possible.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: They just arrived. Two wounded.
Which means getting them somewhere safe for a helicopter to pick them
up.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Listen, I am going to put my guide on the
phone you can explain better. OK.
RUACH GATBEL (Translation): Where did our families run to? To
Motot or somewhere else?
REPORTER: Has stuff like this happened with you before, where your
family has been in danger?
RUACH GATBEL: No.
REPORTER: This is the first time?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Our staff are also victims of this war, and
this protracted war, I mean, look at him now. –
RUACH GATBEL (Translation): The two patients you’ve received… tell
me their names and the type of wounds.
The news just gets worse.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: The boss is online.
There are children among the casualties.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Number one is ten years old. What is her or
he or she?
RUACH GATBEL: It's a he.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Poor little boy, what's his name?
RUACH GATBEL: Gatwec.
Gatwec has two gunshot wounds to his left leg. Dorsa knows he will be
lucky to keep it.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: I was just watching him to see if one of
these names was going to create a reaction, and then I would have to step in,
so I'm just glad that none of those names matched his family members. So... I
am very happy that Ruach’s family is safe and sound.
We had to rush to make our flight back to Bor at the same time Dorsa
arranges for the seven wounded to be evacuated. They will be flown to a mobile
surgical team for emergency care.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: I cannot multitask! Alright... Seven weapon wounded
arrived in Motot this morning, just about two hours ago, out of the seven, two
are children.
With any luck, Ruach and Dorsa will have helped save seven lives today.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: It's a world of contradictions in South Sudan. One
minute you feel peace and beauty and the next minute you have to deal with
communities fighting and people dying. If you come to South Sudan, you will not
leave South Sudan as the same person. Namaste.
REPORTER: Do you tell your parents everything that happens out
here?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: No. I think I tried on my first mission, I was just
explaining one of my experiences of a visiting a place of detention. My mum
told me no, you need to stop and my dad just looked at me like I was an
alien. Hello!
DAD (Translation): Is it hot over there at the moment?
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: No, it's winter, that's why I'm wearing a
shirt like this. Of course it's hot! It's dry and hot!
FARAH NAZEMI: She never talks about her jobs.
BENHAM NAZEMI: But we see the news. We know the news. But she
never says because she does not want us to get worried.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: The biggest news is that Aria caught a frog
in the backyard. You are a very busy family!
Dorsa's has always been good under pressure. Arriving in Australia from
Iran at the age of 17 she spoke no English but within a few years landed a top
government job.
FARAH NAZEMI: She was working for the Prime Minister's this and
that's a wonderful job. And she came and stayed there and wore a very nice
dress, make-up and everything, but she said one day, no, this is not my job. I
want to go and help those people who need me. Those people, they don't need me.
This is Dorsa.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: OK, I have to go, I will speak to you guys
later this week. I love you. I love you. Remember how to do this?
FARAH NAZEMI: I think my god, I did a good job with Dorsa. I'm really
proud.
There is no end in sight for this Civil War. A ceasefire agreement was
signed in December that was broken less than 48 hours later. In a protracted
conflict like this, it's sometimes hard to see how humanitarians can make a
difference. But I tag along with Dorsa as she visits a mobile surgical team
who'd managed to save at least one young life.
Akobo is a small town on the Ethiopian border and this is where the
children Dorsa evacuated were brought just the other day.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: How many patients do we have here now? 55. So
this is the child that was brought in from Motot? What happened to him, he got
multiple shots, no?
MOTHER (Translation): He was shot twice in the leg and twice in
the arm. When he was wounded he crawled into the house. When I shone a torch on
him, I saw he was injured. When I saw his wounds I thought he was already dead.
My heart was racing.
They carried him for hours on a makeshift stretcher before reaching
help.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: So it was a fracture, no? But he's going to
keep his leg, right?
LOUISE: Yes.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: Lyon so I'm really glad that you're alive.
Very glad. You will need further surgery.
REPORTER: I've asked Dorsa to let me know how it all goes.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: I was really worried because I'd heard he had
multiple gunshot wounds and I did not think he was going to make it. So for him
to be here safely with his family, with his mother and yes he is in a lot of
pain but the fact he's alive it makes all the effort is that we had to put
through to put him on a plane and bring them here that little bit, it makes it
worthwhile, that's for sure.
The UN says more than 2300 children have been killed or injured since
the war began. In total between 50 to 300,000 people have died in this
conflict. It could easily be cause for despair but the fact that everyone here
will live gives Dorsa hope.
DORSA NAZEMI-SALMAN: How is your leg? Be nice to the team
here, all right? You can see that in the most bleak and sometimes forgotten
places in the world that there is a way that you can make a difference. I am
critical of many things but at the end of the day I think we make more magic
happen than not. And that's good enough for me.
reporter + camera
amos roberts
story producer + second camera
calliste weitenberg
associate producer
hannah berzins
story editor
micah mcgown
translations
isaac t moses
original music
vicki hansen
27th February 2018