TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 011764 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT HA SUBJECT: TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. 59 STATE 00011764 001.2 OF 003 VIP TRAVEL -------------- ¶1. (SBU) A 14-member CODEL led by Senator Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Clyburn (D-SC) is scheduled to make a stopover in Port-au-Prince February 5, weather permitting (a go/no-go decision should be made by about 1800 EST). The CODEL will be accompanied by Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Richard Verma. The CODEL aircraft might also transport Haitian Ambassador Joseph. (TF1/Legislative Affairs e-mail) ¶2. (U) Former President Clinton is scheduled to make a second trip to Haiti February 5 to meet with government leaders, visit a Port-au-Prince AIDS clinic, and deliver supplies. (AP) EVACUATIONS/AMERICAN CITIZEN ISSUES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) As of 1600 EST, 265 American evacuees and family members had departed Port-au-Prince February 4; a total of 15,049 have been evacuated to date. There are 150 Americans and family members inside the Embassy and 50 waiting outside. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶4. (SBU) No Americans are currently at the airport awaiting evacuation. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶5. (SBU) Consular Affairs is tracking down 21 of the 63 adoptees approved for departure by Haitian Prime Minister Bellerive on February 3. (TF1/Consular Affairs e-mail) ¶6. (SBU) As of 1130 EST, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has received 6,000 Haitian Temporary Protected Status applications, and more than 750 adoptees have been approved for humanitarian parole. (TF1/DHS Senior Leadership Brief) COMMODITY FLOW/DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS -------------- -------------- ¶7. (SBU) The U.S.-flagged commercial vessel AMERICAN TRADER discharged 340 twenty-foot-equivalent units of aid February ¶3. (TF1/Department of Transportation e-mail) HUMANITARIAN UPDATE -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The UN World Food Program (WFP) has distributed 338,000 two-week rice rations since February 1, providing for approximately one million people. Also, the WFP is distributing food rations at the city stadium, currently home to 6,000 people. (NOC MMC-GIR #041-02/10 and TF1/Principals' Essential Data e-mail) ¶9. (SBU) USAID has constructed showers and latrines in STATE 00011764 002.2 OF 003 Leogane, one of the most severely affected areas west of Port-au-Prince. (TF1/Principals' Essential Data e-mail) MEDICAL RESPONSE -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Eighteen patients on the USNS COMFORT have been diagnosed with an Acinetobacter, an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria. (TF1/USSOUTHCOM Haiti Intel Crisis Cell Report, 1000Z 04 FEB) ¶11. (SBU) As of 1400 EST, the USNS COMFORT has had 2,826 patient encounters over the last 24 hours, for a cumulative total of 57,885. (USNS COMFORT SITREP) ¶12. (SBU) Health and Human Services (HHS) will set-up a permanent field convalescent hospital, which should be operational by February 11. (TF1/DHS e-mail) INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS -------------- ¶13. (SBU) The French Government has evacuated 2,769 people since January 12. (TF1/French MFA e-mail) ¶14. (SBU) The Gambian Government announced plans to donate $1 million to "augment efforts being rendered in the global wave of humanitarian assistance." (TF1/Embassy Banjul e- mail) ¶15. (SBU) On February 5, the Japanese Government is expected to approve the dispatch of a 350-member Self-Defense Force engineering unit to remove rubble and repair roads as part of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti. (TF1/Japan desk e- mail) ¶16. (SBU) The Uruguayan Government (GOU) will send between 120-155 peacekeeping troops to Haiti, including a medical unit. Troops will be deployed within 60-90 days. The GOU has requested freezers, generators and pre-fabricated buildings from the USG. (Montevideo 0072) SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶17. (SBU) As of 0600 EST, 624 adoptees have departed Haiti while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has processed 813 parole cases (50 medical, 618 humanitarian, and 145 other). (TF1/DHS e-mail) ¶18. (SBU) U.S. airlines continue to prepare for the resumption of commercial flights. American Airlines is converting its cargo facility into a temporary terminal. Delta Airlines reported its space in the main passenger terminal was badly damaged and is currently unusable. (TF1/EEB e-mail) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- STATE 00011764 003.2 OF 003 ¶19. (SBU) Haitian Public Works, Transportation and Communication Minister Jacques Gabriel said Port-au-Prince could not be rebuilt to its previous state and suggested the GOH consider relocating the capital to a location less prone to earthquakes. (NOC MMC-GIR #042-02/10) OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶20. (SBU) The Chief Prosecutor in the case of the 10 Americans accused of trying to remove 33 children from Haiti told Embassy Officer the group has been charged with abduction of minors, illegal trafficking of children, and organized malfeasance. (TF1/ Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶21. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON