We are now getting some alarming reports about the use of contractors in Haiti. According to this report, the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA) is helping send in contractors to Haiti to "support clients from the fields of media, consultancy and medical in their disaster recovery efforts."
It's all part of the US ability to send in contractors all over the world, including places like Afghanistan and Iraq. And the same contractors are turning up.
Commentator Naomi Klein makes one excellent point: "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'."
But Klein is being simplistic. The problem is not going to go away. In an era of tight budgets, the US military needs contractors as do relief operations.
A good suggestion comes from Commentator David Isenberg . He says the best way to resolve the problem is to establish an entity that would monitor contractors and ensure more accountability.
But would contractors want that? They are likely to campaign against anything that watches over them.
I am a contractor/builder in the NY and NJ area.
I want to help Haiti come back from this and then I would like to stay and offer infrastructure support. i am single and would like to do this. I have decades of experience doing utility work and excavation. I have decades of experience raising up all sorts of buildings from schools, hospitals and high rises..
Tell me how to go and help and give my effort to these people. I would partner with any Haiti company that sees the future of the people.
We are on the ground in Haiti and are looking for info on where the Parsons Engineering offices are. We are experts in furnishing and installing LSA’s, water and wastewater treatment and generator power with all electtrical to NEC code, and want to offer our services to Parsons.
I am a concrete contractor that works in the Gov’t sector..I will be traveling to Haiti within the next few weeks to meet with Construction officals as well as various General Contractors..Please feel free to contact me if anybody would like to set any additional meetings..
I am state certified electrical contractor in florida with background in commercial,institution and industrial work we would like to get involved in the process.We are a native of haiti we speak creole we know the environement pretty well.
Im a certified mechainic with 25 years of mechanical experience from heavy equipment to small engines. Very good in electrical troubleshooting,wiring,and problem solving. I have a passport and clean background. Ready to go.
I am a contractor in SC, I do residential, commercial, and retail construction and remodeling. I have been in construction since 1991 when I got out of the USMC. I would like to get a job with a contractor in Haiti to help in the reconstruction of their country.
I think there just too much politics here, Haiti doesn’t need that now, what the country needs is real support from all over the world and yes, it needs contractors too regardless their nationality.
Our organization, Partnership for a Sustainable Haiti, and we are trying to build an orphanage in northern Haiti. We are looking for a contractor to be in Haiti or someone to live in Haiti to build this orphanage. Is anyone here interested in trying to be part of this?