TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 015681 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. 75 STATE 00015681 001.2 OF 002 EVACUATIONS/AMERICAN CITIZEN ISSUES -------------- ¶1. (SBU) NORTHCOM hosted a 1500 February 19 conference call on the halting of military air evacuations of American citizens and adoptees. DOD will have a five-day transition period for military air travel beginning February 19, during which travelers will be accommodated on a space-available, case-by-case, basis. After February 24, they must use commercial options. (TF1/NORTHCOM Conference call) ¶2. (SBU) A C-17, repatriating American citizens? remains, is scheduled to depart Port-au-Prince for Dover AFB at 1500 February 20. (TF1/NORTHCOM Conference call) ¶3. (SBU) PM Bellerive approved a list of 58 adoptees February ¶19. (Consular Daily Sitrep) ¶4. (SBU) A consular officer was present at the Haitian judge?s February 19 questioning of the two remaining detained American citizens and secured the release of their passports, as well as those of eight American citizens released February ¶17. The two detainees are due back in court February 23, and the judge plans to visit the Dominican Republic to investigate further, according to press. (Consular Daily SitRep/AP) ¶5. (SBU) Three American citizen aid workers were injured in a bus accident outside Port-au-Prince. Two were seriously injured and will be medically evacuated by helicopter to the USNS Comfort this afternoon while the third was treated and released by the Seventh Day Adventist hospital. (TF1/CA Duty e-mail, Embassy Port-au-Prince/USNS Comfort e-mail) ¶6. (SBU) DHS has confirmed that the Children of Promise orphan group, including six orphans and two escorts, has arranged its own charter flight, departing Port-au-Prince at approximately 1300 February 20. HHS is making arrangements for parents to pick up their children at the Miami airport at the expected 1600 arrival time or at a Florida-approved child care facility. (TF1/DHS e-mail, TF1/HHS e-mail) HUMANITARIAN UPDATE -------------- ¶7. (U) Prime Minister Bellerive said the Haitian government would appropriate land to build temporary camps for earthquake victims, but did not say how much land would be sought. (AP) ¶8. (SBU) On February 19, USAID/OFDA provided World Vision with more than $19 million for shelter, economic recovery and market systems, and water, sanitation, and hygiene at six spontaneous settlements in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. (USAID/DCHA Haiti Earthquake Fact Sheet #38l) OTHER DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Embassy Port-au-Prince is preparing to use Hotel Indigo as temporary accommodation for U.S. officials in Port- au-Prince February 19. Post is also considering the hotel as a morale and welfare location for mission staff. (WHA/EX- Embassy Port-au-Prince conference call) ¶10. (SBU) USAID requested work areas for 23 more people who will be part of Ambassador Lucke's staff. The increase will consume the last of the chancery's office space. Post estimates at least 50 more spaces will be required and has requested OBO develop containerized options. (WHA/EX-Embassy Port-au-Prince conference call) ¶11. (U) Additional updates are available through our Intellipedia portal on the unclassified system at: http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Ha iti_Earthquake . ¶12. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON