TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 004782 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. 14 STATE 00004782 001.4 OF 002 ///////////////////////////////////////////// ////////// PLEASE ZFR IMI ZFR STATE 004782 SECTION 01 OF 02 AND BLANK ASSOCIATED MRN/MCNS.. THIS MESSAGE WILL BE RETRANSMITTED UNDER A NEW MRN AND MCN NUMBER. ///////////////////////////////////////////// /////////// STATE 00004782 002.4 OF 002 SUBJECT: TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. U.S. assistance in transporting a mobile hospital unit to Haiti. Both China and Taiwan are providing aid to Haiti. Taiwan reportedly announced its president would deliver assistance personally later this month. (TF1/Embassy Kyiv e-mail, AP) DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) USAID OFDA has provided $36.6 million in funding. USAID Food For Peace has provided food assistance worth $48 million. (USAID sitrep # 6) HUMANITARIAN/SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Post reports a deteriorating security situation, with widespread looting and armed gangs riding in pick-up trucks brandishing firearms. The Government of Haiti has announced plans to establish fourteen emergency relief supply distribution points in coordination with the UN, who will develop an assistance plan on a daily basis and MINUSTAH will implement distributions. Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has asked for assistance on behalf of movie director Paul Haggis, who is seeking transportation to bring $100,000 on January 17 for St. Damien's Hospital in Port-au-Prince. Post reports the city's public water system is beginning to recover. Residents in Petionville were seen filling containers at a public hydrant, and water service was restored in lower Canape Vert. DoD has approved sending the USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, a self-sustaining, self-offloading ship that can offload cargo without a port, from Jacksonville, Florida to Port-au-Prince, departing January 18 and arriving January 21. It will carry relief supplies from USAID, DoD, and FEMA. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail, USAID sitrep #6, Port-au-Prince 50, TF1/Western Hemisphere Affairs e-mail) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis is requesting information on behalf of the Border and Immigration Security Division regarding any countries that have agreed to grant refugee status to Haitian nationals, pledged to house Haitian nationals, or are considering changes to their immigration enforcement posture. Immigration Minister Eric Besson announced France has suspended all proceedings aimed at deporting Haitian illegal immigrants in France. (TF1/DHS-RFI e- mail, TF1/PRM e-mail) CLINTON