As Haitians continues to experience difficulties in garnering sufficient food and water supplies, tensions are growing among residents. However, compounding the situation further is the fact that because of rapidly growing security concerns a number of volunteers along with overseas security personnel are leaving.
Meanwhile, there are escalating fears that the food that some persons have been fortunate to receive may soon come to a halt as there are fears and rumors that the government will be moving sometime next week to stop agencies from distributing food stuff. This is what many say is as a result of perception that the agencies are crossing their line of responsibilities.
Arriving at the makeshift airport visitors are warned that security should remain their number one priority. "I urge you people regardless if you are returning home or visiting for the first time to be very careful as security here is weak," an officer at the airport said. In an effort to maintain some semblance of control and security due to the massive crowd of people that flocks the airport on a daily basis persons arriving to Haiti are warned to remain within the red tent as this is the only way that United Nationals can guarantee security for them. The red tent was set up as a means of protecting arriving visitors and nationals returning home.
As visitors, volunteers and media personnel waited in the red tent two young men who stood in the large crowd received a beating by what appeared to be security personnel. A young mother who works as a taxi dispatcher pointed out that while a number of relief efforts are being executed most of it are not reaching the people that needs it the most thus creating the growing tension. The mother of three said that as people become more frustrated they are acting on their frustration stressing that if not checked can and will result in devastating effects. She noted that because of what she said is viewed as the poor response by CARICOM and Caribbean governments people are turning to overseas and international agencies for assistance.
"You just have to look at when the white people come in, everybody wants to get some lil thing (money) from them as they know that they can get a lil help," she said. She noted that if one was to ensure that they remain safe they needed to be very cautious and careful when assistance is requested of them from the public. "I would advise that when someone asks for something just be exceptionally careful as being naive can cause you your life," the woman said.
According to a source close to two of the organizations providing relief efforts they have sought to increase bodyguards due to the evident tension of a number of people. One agency according to the source said that the current situation being faced by the public is as a result of the Haitian government's inability to take control, of the situation. The source said that they have been informed that government will seek to stop the distribution of food efforts as a means of controlling things noting that this is not helping but rather creating increase difficulties and challenges for all.
"The other Caribbean governments need to come forward and help in this situation as everything should not be left up to the US and UN agencies but other Caribbean governments should try and contribute in a bigger way," the distraught looking mother stressed. Attempts to contact government officials proved futile.
