Since the earthquake hit, our phones have pretty much been ringing non-stop. Those who have called us expressing condolences, sharing information about common associates and family members, and those expressing sincere desires to help, should know that we are all grateful for their calls.
As I write this, the news media reports that Americans have donated over $200 million thus far. The World Bank is pledging to mobilize another $100 million for Haiti and is going to create a reconstruction fund. Even cell phone companies are opening up their hearts and wallets. Texting aid is a new approach and more millions are being collected. Reports indicate that cell phone service providers are forwarding significant amounts of funding even though they won't collect from their subscribers until the end of month phone bills have gone out! How about that? Corporate America also shows it has a heart at times! The entertainment industry, from popular Haitian entertainer Wyclf Jean to the auction of Larry King's suspenders are also pitching in and gathering much needed donations.
But there is another side to the emerging picture that we'd like to talk about. There is an aspect of this security industry that we find, well frankly, distasteful. Within this industry, and others, speculators are emerging. It seems that some think this tragedy in Haiti is the new New Orleans / Hurricane Katrina and the next hundred million dollar contract arena. Some are sending representatives and other, smaller outfits are going in all by themselves - and some of them are getting in the way.
The Internet is aflame with networking messages claiming to have contracts already, authority to issue arms, and seeking resumes left and right. Many of these are just outfits speculating that they will get some work and looking for people willing to go. It happens all the time in this industry and a great deal of it is much ado about nothing.
Some have reportedly entered the country when that nations customs and immigrations services were not functioning. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the United States military has reportedly been given the authority to enforce Haitian customs and immigration laws, has located some of these early speculators, who entered the country without permission (read: Illegally) and arrested them. There is dialog about having those folks deported back to the US and trying them in our courts of law. We are still hearing about folks who are planning to take their plane rides to the Dominican Republic, smuggle in their pistols, and try to make the land crossing at the border between the two nations.
We don't believe you aid the security situation by violating laws.
Port au Prince is not Baghdad. Right now, the nation's infrastructure, which did not have the capability to deal with extensive natural disasters before the quake hit, has been severely damaged. Even the United Nations office in Port au Prince was significantly damaged, and reports indicate that the two top leaders of that organization have been killed in the building collapse. Early reports also indicated that many of the peace keepers in that nation were unaccounted for. That means that in addition to doing what the UN is supposed to be doing in that nation and during times like these, they had to look after their own. That degrades their in-country capability.
This morning's news indicates that of the reportedly 9,000 member Haitian National Police Force, thousands are either victims or unaccounted for. Of the 4,500 who are assigned duties in Port au Prince, it is reported that only 1,500 can be accounted for. Their communications, transportation and other support infrastructure, minimal at best before the quake, have been severely impacted as well.
Some corporations want to donate and have the funds and ability to do so in a big way. Plans emerge to send their planes down to Port au Prince and off load pallets of supplies. Others are trying to get their people out. We have even heard of some who want to go down and get some photo opportunities.
Port au Prince International Airport (PAPIA) is a small airport in the overall scheme of international airports. Recognize that there is only so much parking space for large cargo aircraft. Also recognize that there isn't a fleet of forklifts standing ready for such an incident able to off load pallets from multiple aircraft and load them onto a fleet of 18 wheelers that will take them to existing distribution points. That is not happening - as CNN and other reporting clearly indicates. Even a plane carrying medical supplies in for the very worthwhile NGO - Medecins Sans Frontieres (known here as Doctors Without Borders) was turned away recently because the airspace and the parking space was too full.
So our message is this: If you don't have a shovel, a pick, search and rescue gear in your hand, or a back pack full of first aid equipment on your back - at the moment, you are in the way. If you want to go speculating, you are in the way. If you want a photo opportunity - you are in the way.
Yes, CNN and others are reporting a deteriorating security situation in Haiti and Port au Prince in particular. And yes, that is true. Reports of "frenzied looting" abound. It was, and remains, a predictable circumstance. And yes, those providing aid and support should have security for their own safety while they ply their trade.
But think it through: If you want to help, please consider donating to credible organizations that have the infrastructure to help. Plane loads of supplies that cannot do anything but take up valuable tarmac space at the airport isn't a lot of help at the moment. There will be time down the road to send nearly anything you want to send, but the international community has got to get the basic infrastructure in place first. And that IS happening. The US State Department's web site reports that as of this morning, 31 nations are responding!
If you want to provide security, think it through. Haiti remains a sovereign nation and there are gun laws there. They will be enforced at some point in time. You cannot ship weapons internationally without adhering to the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations). Unlike Iraq and Afghanistan, Haiti does not have a mechanism by which foreigners can open and own security companies. Therefore, before they can create a change in their law to do so, like Iraq and Afghanistan did, their legislature will have to meet and enact legislation to allow that. We don't believe that is going to happen any time soon, if ever. So the only folks who will likely be legitimately carrying weapons from the private sector, in the near future, will be those on State Department or possibly Department of Defense contracts. Haitian law enforcement entities and security companies will remain the primary authorized gun toters. As with any other land, criminals will also be carrying.
If you have never seen people who are desperate before, then you don't likely fully understand the situation. Know this: whatever you take to Haiti at the moment, you will have to guard. If you don't have weapons, then the gangs both outnumber and out-gun you. You will loose whatever you brought if you cannot guard it at the moment. So let the UN and the multi-national informal coalitions and the Haitian Government have some time to restore a bit of public safety, order and those critical distribution systems so desperately needed.
There will be reconstruction. It will be reconstruction in a place where other folks are not shooting at you, blowing up IEDs on every corner and where the newly constructed whatever it is won't be attacked and blown up the moment it is completed. Contracts will be issued, help will be needed and there will be time where neither the reconstituted Haitian National Police nor any of the militaries present will be escorting food convoys and private sector security assistance will be required and a part of the landscape.
So please be a part of the solution, be patient, and take your lead from those mentioned at the beginning of this article: donate to those who can truly help. Be wary and use common sense: Scams are already emerging and the FBI has already posted a new E-Scams & Warnings notice on its web site.
Take heart from the Haitian people who are among the most resilient people on the face of this earth and who congregate in the streets singing hymns, praising God and asking for his mercy. Our sense is that they will emerge on the other side of this thing stronger and in a better position than they have been in for a long time.