Meeting at the KGB
Coordination meetings with the UN are normal in the NGO world. This used to be a lively affair where many NGO leaders with A-type personalities came to discuss, debate multiple issues facing the NGO community. COVID-19 has moved all of this online. However, here in Iraq, we started meeting face-to-face again with the typical Iraqi security procedures and COVID-19 protocol.
Getting in
Yesterday was my 1st face-to-face coordination meeting since arriving in Kirkuk more than 2 months ago, so I was a bit excited to get out of the office and meet some new people. The coordination meeting was inside a government building called the KGB, making it even more exciting. I had no idea where it was, but fortunately, the driver knew the place, and he was briefed by my local staff on escorting me to the entrance. The little road trip took us through neighbourhoods where kids were playing, and at some point, I wondered if the driver got lost. However, I knew we were getting close when we started to pass armed men in bulletproof vests. We found a parking spot when we got close to some concrete barriers in the road. The driver escorted me along a road until we got to another set of concrete barriers with more armed men and razor wire. The scene looked a bit apocalyptic, made even tenser with everyone wearing surgical masks. I spotted another man that looked out of place, so I figured that he was also coming for the coordination meeting, and I was right. Luckily he already called the UN representative to send someone to collect us from the concrete barrier.
Waiting around at a concrete barrier is also a great time to talk shop, which was mostly about our common challenges in getting to the places we want to go. About ten minutes passed before a man with a 2-way radio approached us from the other side of the barrier. He checked with someone whether our names were on the register before escorting us to another guard where we were searched and our IDs checked. From there, we proceeded to another set of barriers and a guardhouse where we were rechecked, this time a bit more thoroughly. The next point was the place where you hand in your phones and ID. We proceeded to the third point of checking where we were searched again. From there, we walked through some alleyways along a steel fence and past a guard tower toward the UN building, where the fourth guard opened a steel door to let us in. We walked through a nice little courtyard with some grass, trees and flowers. This was a nice welcome after all the concrete, steel, guns and razor wire.
The meeting
The room was a typical UN room with a long wooden table, maps on all the walls, and small bottles of water. We were very few at the meeting, it seems like most people still prefers to join on Zoom. All the security and Covid precautions are probably a factor. Still, I think the UN officials appreciated that we made an effort to join in person. They’re probably also feeling a bit lonely.
We discussed all the business of the day, but I could sense the lack of enthusiasm from most people. Seems like the isolation thing due to all the Covid restriction has taken its toll even on those of us who are pretty used to being along.
Closing time
The KGB was closing early because of the new curfew regulations, so security called the chair-person to end our meeting. We closed the meeting with very little chit-chat and made our way out. The place was rather deserted by the time I got out, but luckily, my driver kept an eye out for me and came to collect me at the first barrier. Back at the office, I got a late lunch consisting of fried Koba and soup. My day ended with a trip to the gym and the shops before another three-day lockdown. At least I have something to write this weekend, unlike many other weekends.