Humanitarian crisis in Goma

Michael Walsh
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/02/2017
Reference Code: IE_MA_MAC_006_MAOHP_017_E
Location(s): Goma
Length: 6.23

Commandant Walsh reflects on his early experiences in Rwanda and the reality of dealing with burying thousands of bodies in mass graves in Goma town. Refers to Paul Keyes and Tom Boyce (Irish army Officers) and recalls their early induction into the reality of the crisis. Keyes and Boyce had already handled 2,000 bodies that day and buried them in mass graves with local boy scouts and (French) legionnaires. He speaks about the challenges of dealing with a humanitarian crisis. Commandant Walsh explains the work involved in 'trying to put order on the place', including supporting medical staff and learning how to put a butterfly drip into a dying child. He discusses the logistic and operational challenges involved in their work. He refers to the dangers associated with the work and affirms that it was impossible to work in the camps at night, declaring 'these guys would kill you', referring to the Congolese soldiers. Refers to some of the team including Kieran Spollan (Sanitation and Water), Tony White (building and fencing). He refers to John Ging who set up the systems of supplies. John Ging was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as Director of the Operational Division at OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) in February 2011. He oversees the day-to-day management of all OCHA field operations worldwide and on behalf of the Emergency Relief Coordinator, and is the day-to-day focal point for supporting Humanitarian Coordinators. Mr. Ging is also the lead adviser to the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs on operational decision-making

Arrival in Rwanda

Michael Walsh
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/02/2017
Location(s): Congo

Length: 1.06

Commandant Walsh recalls his journey to Rwanda and Nairobi and eventually Goma, where he worked for the charity GOAL. He recalls flying in an eight seater plane from Nairobi to Goma. He reflects on his feelings on getting closer to Goma and his anxieties about what was facing him. He...

Dynamics of Rwandan Mission

Michael Walsh
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/02/2017
Location(s): Rwanda

Length: 3.02

Commandant Walsh discusses the dynamics of his time in Rwanda and recalls getting to know the various people who were working to relieve the suffering there.

Human tragedy

Michael Walsh
Interviewed for MAOHP - 07/02/2017
Location(s): Goma

Length: 1.23

Refers to Father Willie Cummins in Rwanda and his efforts to offer spiritual respect to the hundreds of bodies being buried in Goma. He explains how Father Cummins nightly said the prayers for the dead and powerfully recalls the scene of the mass grave.