Voices from the Top
Crisis in Haiti… From the National President
By Ernest Green, National President
Jan 17, 2010 - 3:32:10 PM

On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, about an hour before nightfall Eastern Standard Time, the island nation of Haiti sustained massive devastation resulting from an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale.  In the wake of this tragic cataclysm, major property damage was observed throughout Port-au-Prince and other locations in the country and the projected death toll is believed to be in the thousands. International news outlets described the country's infrastructure as close to being totally destroyed and the government as being in serious disarray.

President Barack Obama immediately committed to an all out effort to assist Haiti and its people with an emphasis on rescue operations and life-saving activities. The deployment of United States assets and personnel began soon after the announcement. News outlets reported the world community followed by also pledging humanitarian support.

NOBLE wants to provide as much support to Haiti as quickly as is feasible. As explained to NOBLE by various entities, the current situation in Haiti does not lend itself to the accommodation of personnel on the ground until the proper temporary infrastructure is in place.  The security situation and complications of dealing with a sovereign country will require a period of time to stabilize.  Additionally, the tragedy only magnifies some of the environmental and health concerns prevalent in the country.  The military is currently providing immediate support and other organizations have had success in arriving on the island to assist.  

NOBLE leadership has reached out to the State Department and explained the varied background and capabilities prevalent in the organization.  Additionally, we have offered our support to provide public safety and security and executive level related work in an advisory and supportive role.  We have also contacted the military to volunteer police related services.  We expect additional guidance and response from both the State Department and the military in the next few days.  If the request for support is granted, we expect to query the NOBLE membership and ultimately shepherd the support as needed.  We will reach out to the membership for volunteers in the immediate future as necessary. It will be particularly important to provide personnel with specialized skill sets such as: civil disturbance management, language skills, cultural and area familiarization, financial management, crime analysis, community policing, white collar crime, property control, homicide and missing persons investigations, recruiting and training, communications, command center operations, fleet management, traffic safety and enforcement, prisoner control, continuity of operations, strategic planning and budgeting.

There are many ways our membership can help, but at this time the most need is in the form of donations. Please click here to donate and click here to submit your resume for NOBLE consultancy so that we can match skills with opportunities.

I am very thankful that Mark Ridley, our Special Assistant to the National President for International Affairs has been working with me in providing key advice and information that will benefit our efforts as we move forward. Mark will be our point of contact for national efforts. Please see his comments below:

Respectfully,


Ernest E. Green III
National President   

Comments of Special Assistant for International Affairs Mark Ridley

Haiti is a country in the West Indies, about 600 miles southeast of Florida. It shares the islands of Hispaniola with its neighbor, the Dominican Republic. 

History of Haiti

Haiti has a long history of problems with its government. But did you know that it was the first country where African slaves fought for their freedom? It was, and it has been a free country ever since. In the past there have been many problems with different groups trying to control Haiti. One family ruled Haiti for a long time and they were very cruel to the people. That is part of the reason many people in Haiti like my Dad left to come to America.  The first known residents of Haiti were the Ciboney Indians who originated in Central America or South America and migrated to the Caribbean region about 2000 B.C. The island of Hispaniola, where Haiti is located, was discovered by Christopher Columbus. Much later the French would colonize Haiti and turn it into one very large sugar plantation. Many slaves were brought to Haiti to work the plantations. That is why some Haitian people, the descendants of the French colonists have light skin while others, the descendants of African slaves have dark skin. 

Thank you for caring,


Mark Ridley
Special Assistant for International Affairs

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