Private security firms sent to Haiti to hunt for missing clients

[TeeYiYi]

Source: Boston Globe

Florida university among those hiring companies to send operatives on quake-zone rescue missions

Megan Woolhouse
Katie Johnston Chase
Boston Globe
Published 46 minutes ago

<snip>

The firm, whose website says it is actively helping clients in Haiti, is one of several companies that assist people in high-risk situations like kidnappings, terrorist attacks and natural disasters. They thrive in regions of the world where police or government aid may be inadequate or non-existent. And they are often staffed by former members of the military or intelligence agencies.

"They're operating in trouble spots all over the world," said Kevin Lapwood, an analyst with Seymour Pierce Research in London. "They're in Afghanistan, they're operating in Iraq, they're operating in Somalia. They're in Sudan."

<snip>

"We call it the contingency operations industry," said Doug Brooks, president of the International Peace Operations Association in Washington, which represents about 60 companies worldwide that offer a range of relief services, including the quick delivery of field hospital set-ups, off-road vehicles and construction equipment to help save lives in the immediate aftermath of disasters like the Haiti quake.

Another security firm, Boston-based Global Rescue, is searching for hundreds of people in Haiti, some of whom work for corporations. Chief executive Daniel Richards said an insurance company asked it to find 200 people, but he declined to provide specifics.

The first Global Rescue team, led by two former U.S. special forces soldiers, arrived in Haiti Thursday, Richards said, and the company expects to have 30 people on the ground by this weekend. Richard said his clients include NASA, the U.S. State Department, NASA and The Chicago Tribune.


Read more: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/751783--private-security-firms-sent-to-haiti-to-hunt-for-missing-clients

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"Private security contractors" and FEMA. Deja Vu all over again?...

TYY

[thunder rising]

1. An armed foreigner in any country is a criminal unless specifically granted permission.

The Blackwater "troops" should just be hauled to jail on weapons charges.

The Iraqi and Afghanistan (and Haitian) Governments can easily stop Blackwater.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[fishnfla]

3. Please Y'all, the guys are trying to find our friend's kid

I would ask you guys to temper your remarks. Stephanie is the granddaughter of our friends. She is buried in the ruins of the Monatan Hotel along with some of her classmates. They were their on a mission to hand out food to the poor. If it was your kid what would you do?

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. So private search parties can land. but USA help can't?

Are we not hearing and reading that our government's ability to help is slowed because of difficulty getting
into Haiti and moving around, and are we not hearing that from reporters who ARE in Haiti and moving around, and now private firms somehow are getting into Haiti and moving around?

I do not like this peek into the future.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. They may have come in overland from the Dominican Republic

just as many news teams did. It's possible to get individuals and groups of a few in that way; harder to get in the big teams with equipment that are needed for rescue or large-scale aid.

[lunatica]

6. UC is extending travel insurance to any employee or student who goes as a volunteer

UC always covers employees and students who travel on University Business (Conferences, research, collaborations, etc.) but going to Haiti to volunteer and help isn't considered University business per se but now they have travel insurance.

UC always does stuff like this.