World

At San Isidro Air Base, a Missed Opportunity to Help Haiti

by Maireid Sullivan | January 20, 2010 at 06:36 pm

219 views | 10 Recommendations | 3 comments

EXCERPT: "The entire creation of the evacuation center happened in one day. Air Force personnel say that the US Embassy was able to set up this operation quickly, in part, because it's something they do all the time....Much of the preparation for this project was done by the spouses of US Embassy employees, who volunteer their time."

The facility is fully outfitted with the technology, space and equipment to support a complex, fast-moving aid operation to Haiti. But, it sits empty - waiting for "someone" to realize it is there.

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Last Wednesday, a team lead by the US State Department and the US Armed Forces, along with help from Dominican forces and the US Department of Homeland Security, quickly set up a receiving station for US citizen evacuees at San Isidro, a Dominican air base just outside of Santo Domingo. The facility is fully outfitted with the technology, space and equipment to support a complex, fast-moving aid operation to Haiti, but now sits empty, often fully staffed, nearly all of the time.

"In the beginning," a US Embassy employee in Santo Domingo said, "it was really gratifying, to see the children coming off the planes." Now, employees desperately wish the base was being better utilized, and their mission could adapt to support aid to Haiti.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 23:58 on January 20th, 2010

It sure looks like there is a lack of coordination, a case where the right hand is not talking to the left.

Maireid Sullivan

at 01:32 on January 21st, 2010

Precisely, albertacowpoke.

How long will it take us humans to get our act together? We have the capabilities, but we are distracted by chaos of our own making. Everyone should be able to live in peace, with confidence that help will be there when we need it. Unfortunately, the neo-economic system has another agenda.

ADONYS PEREZ (not verified)

at 09:43 on January 22nd, 2010

In dominican Republic there is an international airport near haiti "MARIA MONTEZ AIRPORT" , in Barahona, that only was used for only one year. If it would be active, it would be very benefic to all those air trafics flights helping Haiti.