Colorado Man Reflects On Global Terror Alert
DENVER (CBS4) - People boarding a plane and heading to the Middle East or North Africa are advised to cancel that trip, but one particular traveler is willing to brave the elements.
"In the nature of the work that we do, we have to go into high risk areas," Colorado humanitarian David Bopp said.
Bopp has been lending a helping hand in the Middle East and North Africa for about three years. Now the high risk of a terrorist attack in those areas has him feeling like he's sitting on his hands.
"We're just kind of sitting, watching and praying, hoping things improve; but it's very frustrating not to be able to go in and do as much as you'd like to do," Bopp said.
Bopp talked to CBS4's Heather Burke via Skype about the dangers his fellow humanitarians face in Egypt and Cairo right now.
"It's hard, but they have the insights and instincts to survive," Bopp said. "Typically it's our points of contact on the ground. The best security you can have is local points of contact to understand a culture, to understand the political climate."
But the global travel alert may prevent Bopp from fulfilling his passion to help those in Libya next month.
"We don't really make a decision until it's almost time to go," Bopp said. "It's difficult to know how long it's going to last or how big it's going to be. Only time will tell how it's going to affect us in the long run."
And while the images in those areas may be frightening, Bopp will keep thinking about the images of smiling faces.
Bopp says his group has canceled numerous trips this summer because of the threats going on around the world. This latest warning extends throughout the month of August.
