Interview with Ahmad Khalid, head of office in Turba, Yemen

1)    Could you chart your ICRC journey thus far?
Officially, I joined the ICRC in 2004 as a radio operator but before that I used to teach English to ICRC drivers and housekeeping staff. From being a radio operator, I moved to the communications unit and worked there for a long time. My first exposure mission of three-and-a-half months was to the Philippines in 2017 as part of the communications team.
Then I worked as an adviser to the head of the Mazar-i-Sharif subdelegation. In 2020, I was promoted to head of office at the same subdelegation and two years later, I applied for a mobile position. Here I am now, since 2022, as head of office in Turba district (south Yemen) in Taiz, which is known as one of the most conflict-ridden governorates of Yemen.

2)    Which assignment has left the deepest impression on you?
My time in Afghanistan has left the deepest impact on me because of how much time I spent in the country being exposed to many different experiences and situations. However, despite coming from a highly operational context like Afghanistan, I feel there is a lot for me to learn in Yemen. Operationally, there is a lot to do in Turba. There might be lesser human resource here, but we have a lot to cover.

3)    What prompted you to become an ICRC delegate?
I can’t do justice to my work if I don’t enjoy it or if I don’t feel challenged. When it gets to that point, I feel it is time to think about alternatives. In my last two years in Afghanistan, I realized I wasn’t learning much more than I already knew. 
I also love new cultures and situations and I wanted a new challenge.
 

4)    Tell us a little bit about the teams you work with?
Afghanistan and Yemen are two different realities. I grew gradually in my career in Afghanistan and developed very close bonds with my colleagues there. We could socialize after work and talk about our families. The team was open and could easily come to me with their concerns.
In Yemen, the team did not know me at all, so it took time to build their trust. The Turba office currently has 30 resident staff and five mobile staff. I feel lucky, so to say, because of my experience in Afghanistan. Since I have been a resident staff, I can understand them better and empathize when they come to me with their concerns. I’m able to be a bridge between the mobile and resident staff worlds.
I see mutual respect and humour in our team and I feel these are important ingredients for a perfect team.

5)    What does working with the ICRC mean to you?
Back in Afghanistan, when I was still quite junior and was surrounded by people who’d been around for more than 30 years, we used to say the ICRC has a certain magic that keeps one attached to it. I don’t feel like I’m working in an organization, instead it feels like I’m working with my family.
Perhaps one of the most important elements for me is the ICRC’s presence in the field to provide support and protection to those who are vulnerable and in need. 
 

6)    What is the most difficult aspect of your work?
Unfortunately, not all my experiences have been positive. But any job has its ups and downs. Our work in the ICRC comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most difficult things is to deliver bad news to families.
 

7)    Do you find it difficult to adjust to new cultures?
I enjoy new experiences and cultures so I wouldn’t say it’s difficult to adjust but I do notice a difference in the facilities in different countries. For instance, in Yemen, there isn’t a lot to do outside the office and since it’s a hardship level 3 posting, we need to be careful where we go. But I’ve worked on identifying certain “zones” where staff can go for walks or just be outdoors. We’ve also initiated a gathering once a week in office. All of us spend a few hours just talking and having a little “emotional debriefing”. It helps us feel more connected as a team as well.
 

8)    What qualities does a person need to become an ICRC delegate?
You need to be mentally prepared to face situations where you might not be able to respond the way you would like to despite the proximity to those who are affected by conflict or other violence.
Having empathy is, of course, of paramount importance and it goes hand in hand with being a keen listener. Both are essential skills for someone wanting to join the ICRC.
 

9)    What tips do you have for someone who wants to join the ICRC?
Carry your sense of humour wherever you go. It makes you more approachable.
Prepare to adapt to different cultures and to take in new experiences with an open mind. Step out of your comfort zone, be flexible and get exposure to various environments.
 

10)    What sets the ICRC apart from other humanitarian organizations?
Our proximity to the people affected by armed conflict. We are often the first responders and have more access than other organizations. Of course, there’s also the fact that I feel this is family.
 

11)    The moment you knew you’d made the right decision of working with the ICRC?
When I saw a father’s world turn around in seconds after we delivered a Red Cross message (containing brief personal news) to him that his son who was missing for ten years was still alive! When I arrived, the family was conducting a mourning ceremony for the person whose message I was delivering. I will never forget the tears of happiness in the father’s eyes as he read his son’s message.
 

12)    What did you know about the ICRC before you joined us? How has that perception changed?
Most Afghans know of the ICRC as an organization that provides prostheses because the Physical Rehabilitation Programme (PRP) is very well known in Afghanistan.
However, when I joined and started talking to people, I learned about protection work and projects that we undertake to improve the living conditions of people through “WatHab” (Water & Habitat) and “EcoSec” (Economic Security) – these were terms I had never heard before. I told myself I had a lot of learning to do.
I’ve grown with the organization over the last few years. There have been ups and downs, but I still cherish the ICRC as an organization that does the best work in the humanitarian sector.
 

13)    What does professional success mean to you?
If something we do makes people smile, that is success.