By Khairulanuar Yahaya
This is the first of two articles in tribute to Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, the BernamaTV cameraman who died while participating in a humanitarian mission in Somalia organised by Kelab Putera 1Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Since the death of BernamaTV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, shot in Somalia on 28th Sept, 2011, this writer has been asked many times whether it is worth it for journalists to put their lives at stake in areas of disaster and conflict.
Many do not believe that journalists and cameramen go to such places voluntarily, not because that we are told to do so.
"Yes" is the answer to whether we are assigned to these places, and "yes" is also the answer to whether we volunteer to go there.
We go because we believe in helping tell the world about the sufferings of the people caught in conflicts.
The humanitarian mission to Somalia began last Aug 28, organised by the Kelab Putera 1Malaysia, led by Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
We flew there two days before Aidilfitri, a fact that could have weakened our spirits, as we have to leave our family on this festive occasion.
But the urge to witness the hardships faced by the Somalis was too great to overcome.
About one year earlier, on Aug 9, 2010, we faced a similar situation.
At that time, Muslims in Malaysia were busy preparing for Aidilfitri, but this writer and the late Noramfaizul -- affectionately known as Faizul -- were busy packing our bags to join the humanitarian mission to Gaza in Palestine.
Several days after returning from Gaza, on Sept 3 2010, we went to Pakistan to aid victims of floods there, said to be the worst in the country's history.
MISSION TO AREAS OF CONFLICT
What has happened in Gaza, Pakistan and Somalia?
Gaza was like a huge prison for the Palestinians. This writer and Faizul were prompted to go to Gaza in the wake of the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara, a ship carrying supplies to aid the Palestinians.
The attack on the ship, which carried Malaysian volunteers, killed 11 volunteers from Turkey.
It was difficult to enter Gaza. We had to wait for three hours to obtain clearance from Egyptian immigration authorities at Rafah.
Faizul said: "We are fortunate to join this mission".
His words were true, as the sufferings of the Palestinians cannot be truly described in words and pictures.
Through Faizul's efforts, viewers of BernamaTV can witness the hardships faced by the Palestinians in Gaza.
SITUATION IN GAZA
Evidence of the Israel onslaught that began in late 2008 and lasted until early 2009 could be seen in the bullet-ridden walls of buildings. Some buildings were also completely destroyed by the Israel bombs.
The attacks were brutal, and left more than 2,000 Palestinians dead.
Thousands more were injured and maimed, while over than 80,000 were made homeless.
The 1.5 million residents of Gaza suffered economic hardship as the unemployment rate reached 70 percent.
A volunteer from Australia, Dr Jean E. Calder, who served at the Khan Younes Development and Skills College and lived in Gaza for over 15 years, said the Israeli attack deeply traumatized Palestinian children.
"They were so traumatised by the bomb explosions that they heard them in their sleep," said Dr Calder.
"They found it difficult to forget. If the (psychological) trauma fails to ease, it will have a negative impact on the already bleak future of the Palestinians."
Faizul, who recorded visuals of the places we were brought to, wanted to venture to the secret tunnels described as a lifeline for Gaza residents. He requested permission from the mission's media head, Azman Mohd Noor.
The tunnels were used to smuggle much needed materials from Egypt after Israel imposed sanctions on the Gaza Strip in 2007.
Tel Aviv said the tunnels were used to smuggle weapons, and at one time this led to the Egyptian authorities sealing them.
Hundreds of Palestinians died while using the tunnels in their efforts to get much needed supplies.
"The mission will not be complete without visuals on the tunnels. They are part of the Palestinians' struggle," Faizul said.
After his request, the media group went to the area where there were hundreds of tunnels spread over tens of kilometres linking Gaza to the Egyptian border.
Some of the tunnels were so small that only a single individual could pass through at a time. Others were big enough to allow a lorry to move through.
At the tunnels, Faizul warned this writer: "Don't get away too far from me. This place is dangerous and I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
We went from one spot to another in Gaza in protected vehicles such as the Palestinian Red Crescent.
In Gaza, the Kelab Putera 1Malaysia mission managed to provide assistance to some 5,000 Palestinians in Gaza City, Jabalyah, Der Al Balah, Khan Younis, Rafah and Saifa.
MISSION TO PAKISTAN
It was different with the humanitarian mission to Pakistan, held from Sept 3 until Sept 11, 2010.
The floods that deluged Pakistan in July 2010 were the worst natural disaster to hit the country in 80 years.
The floods took more than 2,000 lives and destroyed crops and livestock. One million people were made homeless, while 20 million more were affected.
Some 3.5 million children were exposed to epidemics caused by the disaster.
Peshawar was the first location in Pakistan where we handed out humanitarian aid.
Pakistan is also a country that has conflicts. Our safety there was at risk. Every day there were reports of attacks by extremists.
We also went to Nowshera, Swot, Charsaddar and Chaksari. The mission also went to Karachi, where they were exposed to threats by armed rebels.
CHALLENGES
Scorching temperature reaching as high as 40 degrees Celsius were among the challenges that members of the humanitarian mission faced in Pakistan.
Journeys covered long distances. Some took six to eight hours, a real challenge to the Muslim members of the mission, who were then fasting.
The roads were rough, most of them unsurfaced and littered with stones -- a real test of mental and physical endurance.
Sometimes, when there were obstacles like streams of water, we had to get out of the vehicles. We also had to be on the lookout for any attempts by armed parties to seize the aid that we brought along.
During the nine days this writer was in Pakistan, he witnessed conflicts between armed groups that badly affected the operation to help flood victims.
The situation was sad. Flood victims had suffered badly. Children were dirty and festered with diseases. Thousands of dilapidated tents gave shelter to the flood victims, who scrambled and fought for food.
The visuals on all of these were recorded by Faizul.
After the missions to Gaza and Pakistan, Faizul joined another Kelab Putera 1Malaysia's humanitarian mission. This time he went to New Zealand, which was struck by an earthquake.
Meanwhile, this writer went to Japan, which was hit by the earthquake, tsunami and the ensuing nuclear crisis in March 2011.
SOMALIA
After the plane that flew Faizul and this writer landed at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu on Aug 29, 2011, we already felt the heat of the armed conflict there.
All the way to our hotel, we saw many soldiers and people with guns.
"We have to move in a convoy," said the bus driver when we asked him to move without waiting for the other members of the mission.
"Armed troops will escort us. This place is dangerous."
The trouble in Somalia began with the Civil War that broke out in 1991.
The problem was made worse when Al-Shaabab rebels took control of some areas outside Mogadishu.
Faizul repeated his warning as soon as we arrived at Hotel Naashablood, which provided accommodation to the 47 volunteers from Malaysia.
"Don't go far away from me, this place is dangerous," he repeatedly warned this writer.
After performing Aidilfitri prayers at the Isbahasyiga Mosque on Aug 29, 2011, this writer had the opportunity to witness the human catastrophe that is happening in Somalia.
Deaths occurred every day at the refugee camps, caused by starvation and diseases.
"The drought threatens 3.5 million people with starvation. Children and women are hit with diseases because of malnutrition, and 200 people die every day," said the advisor to the Somalian Health Minister, Dr Abdi Awad Ibrahim.
Mogadhisu, to us, was like an open war museum. The marks left by gunfire and bombs could be seen everywhere.
We had to reach our hotel to file the television reports and visuals before 5pm local time every day, as we were scared of the danger at night.
On the fateful day of Sept 2, we went back to the hotel late, at about 5.45pm.
As our 4-wheel drive vehicle made its way to the hotel, the place was eerily quiet, until we heard the two shots that killed Faizul.
ANSWERING THE QUERIES
During the trips to Gaza, Pakistan and Somalia, this writer and Faizul never thought of asking for bulletproof vests from the organisers of the missions.
In our minds, we were there only to get the reports and visuals.
To the question of why journalists are willing to sacrifice their lives in these areas of conflict, the answer is, "for humanitarian reasons."
They risk their lives in order to tell the world about the millions of people facing hardships, so that help will reach these poor souls.
Did Noramfaizul Mohd Nor die for nothing?
To this writer, his death was for a worthy cause.
Faizul's recorded visuals from the conflict areas told us the meaning of sacrifice, hardship, war and peace.
This is the first of two articles in tribute to Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, the BernamaTV cameraman who died while participating in a humanitarian mission in Somalia organised by Kelab Putera 1Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Since the death of BernamaTV cameraman Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, shot in Somalia on 28th Sept, 2011, this writer has been asked many times whether it is worth it for journalists to put their lives at stake in areas of disaster and conflict.
Many do not believe that journalists and cameramen go to such places voluntarily, not because that we are told to do so.
"Yes" is the answer to whether we are assigned to these places, and "yes" is also the answer to whether we volunteer to go there.
We go because we believe in helping tell the world about the sufferings of the people caught in conflicts.
The humanitarian mission to Somalia began last Aug 28, organised by the Kelab Putera 1Malaysia, led by Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
We flew there two days before Aidilfitri, a fact that could have weakened our spirits, as we have to leave our family on this festive occasion.
But the urge to witness the hardships faced by the Somalis was too great to overcome.
About one year earlier, on Aug 9, 2010, we faced a similar situation.
At that time, Muslims in Malaysia were busy preparing for Aidilfitri, but this writer and the late Noramfaizul -- affectionately known as Faizul -- were busy packing our bags to join the humanitarian mission to Gaza in Palestine.
Several days after returning from Gaza, on Sept 3 2010, we went to Pakistan to aid victims of floods there, said to be the worst in the country's history.
MISSION TO AREAS OF CONFLICT
What has happened in Gaza, Pakistan and Somalia?
Gaza was like a huge prison for the Palestinians. This writer and Faizul were prompted to go to Gaza in the wake of the Israeli attack on the Mavi Marmara, a ship carrying supplies to aid the Palestinians.
The attack on the ship, which carried Malaysian volunteers, killed 11 volunteers from Turkey.
It was difficult to enter Gaza. We had to wait for three hours to obtain clearance from Egyptian immigration authorities at Rafah.
Faizul said: "We are fortunate to join this mission".
His words were true, as the sufferings of the Palestinians cannot be truly described in words and pictures.
Through Faizul's efforts, viewers of BernamaTV can witness the hardships faced by the Palestinians in Gaza.
SITUATION IN GAZA
Evidence of the Israel onslaught that began in late 2008 and lasted until early 2009 could be seen in the bullet-ridden walls of buildings. Some buildings were also completely destroyed by the Israel bombs.
The attacks were brutal, and left more than 2,000 Palestinians dead.
Thousands more were injured and maimed, while over than 80,000 were made homeless.
The 1.5 million residents of Gaza suffered economic hardship as the unemployment rate reached 70 percent.
A volunteer from Australia, Dr Jean E. Calder, who served at the Khan Younes Development and Skills College and lived in Gaza for over 15 years, said the Israeli attack deeply traumatized Palestinian children.
"They were so traumatised by the bomb explosions that they heard them in their sleep," said Dr Calder.
"They found it difficult to forget. If the (psychological) trauma fails to ease, it will have a negative impact on the already bleak future of the Palestinians."
Faizul, who recorded visuals of the places we were brought to, wanted to venture to the secret tunnels described as a lifeline for Gaza residents. He requested permission from the mission's media head, Azman Mohd Noor.
The tunnels were used to smuggle much needed materials from Egypt after Israel imposed sanctions on the Gaza Strip in 2007.
Tel Aviv said the tunnels were used to smuggle weapons, and at one time this led to the Egyptian authorities sealing them.
Hundreds of Palestinians died while using the tunnels in their efforts to get much needed supplies.
"The mission will not be complete without visuals on the tunnels. They are part of the Palestinians' struggle," Faizul said.
After his request, the media group went to the area where there were hundreds of tunnels spread over tens of kilometres linking Gaza to the Egyptian border.
Some of the tunnels were so small that only a single individual could pass through at a time. Others were big enough to allow a lorry to move through.
At the tunnels, Faizul warned this writer: "Don't get away too far from me. This place is dangerous and I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
We went from one spot to another in Gaza in protected vehicles such as the Palestinian Red Crescent.
In Gaza, the Kelab Putera 1Malaysia mission managed to provide assistance to some 5,000 Palestinians in Gaza City, Jabalyah, Der Al Balah, Khan Younis, Rafah and Saifa.
MISSION TO PAKISTAN
It was different with the humanitarian mission to Pakistan, held from Sept 3 until Sept 11, 2010.
The floods that deluged Pakistan in July 2010 were the worst natural disaster to hit the country in 80 years.
The floods took more than 2,000 lives and destroyed crops and livestock. One million people were made homeless, while 20 million more were affected.
Some 3.5 million children were exposed to epidemics caused by the disaster.
Peshawar was the first location in Pakistan where we handed out humanitarian aid.
Pakistan is also a country that has conflicts. Our safety there was at risk. Every day there were reports of attacks by extremists.
We also went to Nowshera, Swot, Charsaddar and Chaksari. The mission also went to Karachi, where they were exposed to threats by armed rebels.
CHALLENGES
Scorching temperature reaching as high as 40 degrees Celsius were among the challenges that members of the humanitarian mission faced in Pakistan.
Journeys covered long distances. Some took six to eight hours, a real challenge to the Muslim members of the mission, who were then fasting.
The roads were rough, most of them unsurfaced and littered with stones -- a real test of mental and physical endurance.
Sometimes, when there were obstacles like streams of water, we had to get out of the vehicles. We also had to be on the lookout for any attempts by armed parties to seize the aid that we brought along.
During the nine days this writer was in Pakistan, he witnessed conflicts between armed groups that badly affected the operation to help flood victims.
The situation was sad. Flood victims had suffered badly. Children were dirty and festered with diseases. Thousands of dilapidated tents gave shelter to the flood victims, who scrambled and fought for food.
The visuals on all of these were recorded by Faizul.
After the missions to Gaza and Pakistan, Faizul joined another Kelab Putera 1Malaysia's humanitarian mission. This time he went to New Zealand, which was struck by an earthquake.
Meanwhile, this writer went to Japan, which was hit by the earthquake, tsunami and the ensuing nuclear crisis in March 2011.
SOMALIA
After the plane that flew Faizul and this writer landed at Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu on Aug 29, 2011, we already felt the heat of the armed conflict there.
All the way to our hotel, we saw many soldiers and people with guns.
"We have to move in a convoy," said the bus driver when we asked him to move without waiting for the other members of the mission.
"Armed troops will escort us. This place is dangerous."
The trouble in Somalia began with the Civil War that broke out in 1991.
The problem was made worse when Al-Shaabab rebels took control of some areas outside Mogadishu.
Faizul repeated his warning as soon as we arrived at Hotel Naashablood, which provided accommodation to the 47 volunteers from Malaysia.
"Don't go far away from me, this place is dangerous," he repeatedly warned this writer.
After performing Aidilfitri prayers at the Isbahasyiga Mosque on Aug 29, 2011, this writer had the opportunity to witness the human catastrophe that is happening in Somalia.
Deaths occurred every day at the refugee camps, caused by starvation and diseases.
"The drought threatens 3.5 million people with starvation. Children and women are hit with diseases because of malnutrition, and 200 people die every day," said the advisor to the Somalian Health Minister, Dr Abdi Awad Ibrahim.
Mogadhisu, to us, was like an open war museum. The marks left by gunfire and bombs could be seen everywhere.
We had to reach our hotel to file the television reports and visuals before 5pm local time every day, as we were scared of the danger at night.
On the fateful day of Sept 2, we went back to the hotel late, at about 5.45pm.
As our 4-wheel drive vehicle made its way to the hotel, the place was eerily quiet, until we heard the two shots that killed Faizul.
ANSWERING THE QUERIES
During the trips to Gaza, Pakistan and Somalia, this writer and Faizul never thought of asking for bulletproof vests from the organisers of the missions.
In our minds, we were there only to get the reports and visuals.
To the question of why journalists are willing to sacrifice their lives in these areas of conflict, the answer is, "for humanitarian reasons."
They risk their lives in order to tell the world about the millions of people facing hardships, so that help will reach these poor souls.
Did Noramfaizul Mohd Nor die for nothing?
To this writer, his death was for a worthy cause.
Faizul's recorded visuals from the conflict areas told us the meaning of sacrifice, hardship, war and peace.
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