Tuesday
Jan262010
Security Situation In Haiti Remains Calm Two Weeks After Quake
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 11:36AM
The security situation in Haiti continues to remain relatively calm two weeks after a massive earthquake struck the Caribbean nation.
"We've been welcomed," Lieutenant-General Ken Keen, who heads the U.S. Joint Task Force, told reporters Tuesday. "We've had no security incidents with our particular forces."
Keen credited the current situation to the Haitian people, whom Keen says understand that the international community is there to provide help, and the work of the U.N.
There are other factors that are likely contributors as well. While past U.S. military operations have been hindered by cultural misunderstandings between the forces and the population due to a lack of translators, American officials are reporting the presence of interpreters versed in French and Creole at the platoon-level. In addition, resources continue to be adequately distributed, thus preventing possible riots over food and water.
While stable distribution points have not been set up for daily use, relief-personnel are giving each family that comes to a temporary site two weeks worth of resources. Currently, 1 million MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) and an additional million bottles of water have been given out by the U.S. Joint Task Force.
A timeline for the U.S.' military presence has yet to be established, but Keen stated today that the Joint Task Force will remain in the country until the capacity to provide for basic needs is established.
"We've been welcomed," Lieutenant-General Ken Keen, who heads the U.S. Joint Task Force, told reporters Tuesday. "We've had no security incidents with our particular forces."
Keen credited the current situation to the Haitian people, whom Keen says understand that the international community is there to provide help, and the work of the U.N.
There are other factors that are likely contributors as well. While past U.S. military operations have been hindered by cultural misunderstandings between the forces and the population due to a lack of translators, American officials are reporting the presence of interpreters versed in French and Creole at the platoon-level. In addition, resources continue to be adequately distributed, thus preventing possible riots over food and water.
While stable distribution points have not been set up for daily use, relief-personnel are giving each family that comes to a temporary site two weeks worth of resources. Currently, 1 million MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) and an additional million bottles of water have been given out by the U.S. Joint Task Force.
A timeline for the U.S.' military presence has yet to be established, but Keen stated today that the Joint Task Force will remain in the country until the capacity to provide for basic needs is established.
Reader Comments