'Security Issues Curb Afghanistan Recruitment', Financial Times, 23 October 2008
EXCERPT: "The ban on bringing offspring, or even spouses, on assignments in Afghanistan explains the constant difficulty organisations face in attracting experts to work in the country and stay there for a respectable amount of time. Up to 30 per cent of United Nations posts in Afghanistan remain unfilled, the organisation said. Yet there is no shortage of unattached, young adventurers looking for excitement. However, this younger crowd often lacks the experience and qualifications required by aid organisations, particularly for more senior management level posts. Project leaders for the big NGOs often find themselves being begged to stay on by their bosses in London, Geneva or Washington, who have completely failed to find a successor to step into their shoes. The turnover of soldiers, consultants and even diplomats is so great that some people don't bother collecting the business cards of people who will, inevitably, soon be leaving town. Employers do their best to attract the staff they need, and compensate them for the dangers and discomforts they face. Many receive danger pay, which can make a year's stint in Kabul extremely lucrative, and generous holidays."
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See also:
'Death stalks highway to hell', Asia Times Online, 23 October 2008
'Killing of Kabul aid worker raises fears', Financial Times, 21 October 2008
'Foreigners urged to review security after Kabul shooting', AFP, 21 October 2008
'Inside Afghanistan's implosion', Wired, 21 October 2008
Related posts:
'Attacks on aid challenge Afghan reconstruction', 18 September 2008
'Aid work in Afghanistan more perilous', 15 August 2008
'50 percent of Afghanistan now too dangerous for aid operations', 5 December 2007
'2007 "worst year for aid workers in Afghanistan"', 8 November 2007
