Thanks to Matt for sending me this. I find it disgusting that we are still talking about a lack of security in Haiti. Especially when there are plenty of security resources to call upon in the U.S. and world. What are they doing with all the millions of dollars raised for the relief effort is my question? If there is a security need, then pay the money, and get some boots on the ground to do the job right.
Oh, and here we see the U.N. is again failing at their basic task of protecting people. If they can’t do the job, then they need to step aside and let a competent PSC/PMC do the job. Time is of the essence and if we cannot depend upon the U.N. to do the job, then it would make more sense to privatize the security. At least until the police have been rejuvenated and all of those prisoners have been rounded up and captured.
The other point to focus in on, is those thousands of escaped criminals along with the fact that hundreds of women have lost husbands/fathers/boyfriends to the quake, along with a damaged police force and infrastructure, has all created the perfect storm for this kind of crime to occur. Defenseless women with thousands of criminals roving the country, equals a rise in sex crimes. Nor can you lock up a tent or sleeping pad in a relief camp, to keep the bad guys out. Does anyone else see this as a serious problem? Man oh mighty.
Meanwhile, the media is crying about my industry wanting to get in there and provide those security services. I guess the media would prefer the world just stands by on the sidelines and let it happen. Or have all that money raised for the effort just sit in the banks so aid agencies can collect on the interest. Time is ticking away, and the women and people of Haiti need real security and not just talk. –Matt
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Women, girls rape victims in Haiti quake aftermath
By MICHELLE FAUL
Tue Mar 16, 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – When the young woman needed to use the toilet, she went out into the darkened tent camp and was attacked by three men.
“They grabbed me, put their hands over my mouth and then the three of them took turns,” the slender 21-year-old said, wriggling with discomfort as she nursed her baby girl, born three days before Haiti’s devastating quake.
“I am so ashamed. We’re scared people will find out and shun us,” said the woman, who suffers from abdominal pain and itching, likely from an infection contracted during the attack.
