Profiting from the Haiti Earthquake

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Raidon tactics Inc. gunner

Relief agencies aren’t the only foreigners getting involved in Haiti’s earthquake aftermath. The International Peace Operations Association (IPOA), labeled a “mercenary trade association” by one media source, is planning a summit in Miami to bring together “leading officials” and private contractors to discuss opportunities in the ravaged Caribbean nation.

IPOA makes no apologies for its networking efforts, pointing out that it has helped reporters secure protection in Haiti. But security contractors aren’t just guarding the media. Raidon Tactics, which employs former U.S. Special Operations soldiers, is working to protect aid convoys as well as news agencies.

One critic of the United States’ penchant for using private contractors in places like Iraq and Afghanistan has expressed concern about the same approach being used to help Haiti. Naomi Klein, author of The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, told IPS: “Haiti doesn’t need cookie cutter one-size fits all reconstruction, designed by the same gang that made same such a hash of Iraq, Afghanistan and New Orleans—and indeed the same people responsible for the decimation of Haiti’s own economy in the name of ‘aid.’”

-Noel Brinkerhoff

HAITI: Private Contractors 'Like Vultures Coming to Grab the Loot' (by Anthony Fenton, Inter Press Service)

List of IPOA Member Capabilities Available for Haiti Earthquake Response (IPOA World)

Comments

Jeff S 14 years ago

Let's see if I've got this right; Natural disasters and wars happen Criminals and other "less-reputables" exploit the chaos to steal wide-screen TVs and anything else they want NGOs and the UN (supposedly)gather to respond to help the victims A few groups blindly venture in to the devastated area and are met with violence, so the others slow down or wait out of fear But you want to demonize the companies that are trained, equipped and experienced to handle their safety? I guess we should all leave them to their fate? Its been a month and a half since the earthquake in Haiti and there's no firestorm of people complaining about a "slow response" and oddly enough, Scahill's prophesy that racist mercenaries were going to take over New Orleans... never happened. Who is capitalizing on fear?

Doug Brooks 14 years ago

Mr. Brinkerhoff, You write about the industry enough, perhaps it is time to actually do what journalists used to do instead of simply restating what pundits and anonymous 'media sources' have written already? You have my email address, and IPOA's phone number is +1 (202) 464-0721. Happy to provide a real-world perspective if there is any value in doing actual research on these stories. Yes, IPOA is helping to bring together government, NGOs and the private sector in hopes of creating partnerships and innovative ideas for reconstruction projects. Most people think reconstruction is a good thing, I'm a little surprised the article is so negative on the idea. The private sector survives because of its adapatablity and value. Perhaps it is only Ms Klein's recycled criticisms that are really 'cookie cutter one-size fits all.' Not sure what plans she has to rebuild *anything*. -Doug Brooks, IPOA

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Profiting from the Haiti Earthquake

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