U.S. Pulling Troops from Haiti
As troops start to pack their things and come home, Haitians are worried about how dangerous things may get with less security.
-Faye Brennan
About 700 U.S. paratroopers left Haiti this weekend, signaling the beginning of the country’s decrease in troops stationed in the earthquake-stricken nation. About 20,000 troops were called to help after the January 12 earthquake destroyed Port-au-Prince. They helped with rescue efforts, security, handing out food and water, and reopening the airport and seaport.
Now, “our mission is largely accomplished,” said Gen. Douglas Fraser, head of U.S. Southern Command. The number of U.S. troops remaining in Haiti will decrease to about 8,000 this week, and the rest will return home.
Haitians are scared that troops leaving means the relief efforts are over and that there will now be an increase in violence and looting. Less troops means less security, and survivors believe things will start to get dangerous for the half-million people who are still living in makeshift encampments.
“Everybody is just so worried that they are pulling out because it’s going to get dangerous,” said Alison Thompson, medical coordinator of the Jenkins/Penn Relief Organization. (Huffington Post)
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