How come this doesn’t surprise me? Now I know the U.N. contracts out some security, but if this report is true, then obviously they are not putting enough effort into the deal. Competent security contractors that are monitored and well managed can totally answer the needs of the U.N., if the U.N. could open up to the possibilities.
Also, I would imagine that many of the sites are poorly positioned in the city or wherever, and does not have the buffer necessary to protect from attacks. The rule of thumb is that if you can park a truck near your compound, or that people can get near your compound without any kind of screening or physical barriers stopping them, then you are unsafe. Please note the recent attack in Baghdad with the truck bombs parked near government facilities. The U.N. should know better, and there are plenty of examples of what to do, and what not to do.
Worse yet, in war zones, these compounds have to worry about complex coordinated attacks. In Afghanistan, you see attacks using suicide bombers or VBIEDs, followed by ground assault forces. The compound defense force must be organized and well armed to deal with all and any situations. That force must have outstanding leadership and discipline, or you will be in trouble. It is all about leadership, and the leaders at these U. N. outposts must demand that proper security be put in place to protect their people. They cannot depend on good faith or luck to protect their most vital assets. –Matt
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EXCLUSIVE: Staffers deemed unsafe at 20 U.N. outposts
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Betsy Pisik
UNITED NATIONS | At least 20 U.N. outposts in dangerous corners of the world suffer from inadequate security despite rising threats to the organization, the U.N. director of security says.
Gregory B. Starr, a former State Department security specialist named as U.N. security coordinator a little more than three months ago, cited U.N. offices in Iraq and Afghanistan for particular concern.
He also classified outposts in Somalia, Sudan’s Darfur region, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon as dangerous spots for U.N. international and local staff.