TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 004855 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. 21 STATE 00004855 001.2 OF 003 VIP TRAVEL -------------- ¶1. (U) No updates at this time. SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) -------------- ¶2. (SBU) As of 2000, international urban search and rescue (USAR) teams had rescued a total of 62 individuals, including 30 live rescues by U.S. SARs. Operations are continuing and expanding to other areas identified by the Haitian government, although it is unknown if there are any sites yet outside of Port-au-Prince. (TF1/Interagency conference call) COMMODITY FLOW -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Embassy Santo Domingo reports that roads into Haiti are open, with no negative impact on commodities flow. (TF1/Interagency conference call) ¶4. (SBU) 2100 metric tons of P.L. Title II emergency food assistance, provided by USAID's Office of Food for Peace (USAID/FFP),has arrived in Port-au-Prince. (TF1/USAID e-mail) EVACUATIONS/AMERICAN CITIZEN AND LES WHEREABOUTS -------------- --- ¶5. (SBU) As of 2000, Embassy Port-au-Prince has accounted for 3567 Americans. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶6. (SBU) As of 2000, 904 Americans had departed Port-au-Prince on January 17; a total of 2723 Americans have been evacuated to date. 500 Americans were at the airport, 150 of whom were prepared to board an outbound flight. Another 122 Americans were inside the Embassy; 157 Americans were waiting outside; most minors with non-American adults. (TF1/Embassy Port-au- Prince e-mail and Interagency conference call) ¶7. (SBU) As of 2000, there were 17 confirmed American citizen fatalities. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶8. (SBU) Two DOS/CA employees traveled to Port-au-Prince to receive the body of Cultural Affairs Officer (CAO) Victoria DeLong; they will accompany her remains back to Miami. (TF1/CA e-mail) ¶9. (SBU) There is no backlog of American evacuees to the U.S at the Santo Domingo Airport; five evacuees remain in local hospitals. (TF1/Interagency conference call) MEDICAL RESPONSE -------------- ¶10. (SBU) USAID/OFDA, in coordination with DOD, facilitated the delivery of 9600 10-liter water containers to serve 19,200 people; 3840 hygiene kits to benefit 19,200 people over two weeks. Two hundred rolls of plastic sheeting to shelter 10,000 people arrived January 17. (TF1/Interagency conference call) INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS -------------- ¶11. (SBU) A Japanese C-130 departed Haiti at 1440 with 34 evacuees for Homestead AFB. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS -------------- ¶12. (SBU) USCGC Oak was expected to arrive late January 17; USCGC Crimson Clover is safely moored on the South Pier in Port- au-Prince and has begun operations, but the pier cannot accommodate vehicles, so cargo will have to be manually unloaded. (TF1/USCG Response to Haiti Earthquake e-mail and Interagency conference call) ¶13. (SBU) There are approximately 600 USCG personnel in Haiti- 500 on cutters; 23 on the ground; 70 part of aircrews. (TF1/USCG Response to Haiti Earthquake e-mail) ¶14. (SBU) The FAA arrived in Haiti and has started its assessment of the Port-au-Prince Airport. (TF1/USDOT Haiti Earthquake Summary for January 17) ¶15. (SBU) Military aircraft will now land at night; civilian aircraft during the day. (TF1/USDOT Haiti Earthquake Summary for January 17) HUMANITARIAN/SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶16. (SBU) Embassy Port-au-Prince reports security is "pretty good," with "sporadic outbreaks" of violence, despite news stories of a growing number of looters roaming the streets of Port-au-Prince and of gunfire and police using tear gas to disperse crowds. Post has requested assistance to bolster Haitian Police capacity; State/INL has identified 15 police experts for possible travel to Haiti. (TF1/Interagency conference call) ¶17. (SBU) Communications are improving. However, the generator at the main communications tower in Boutilliers is in danger of running out of fuel within 24 hours, which would affect cell phones and internet. (TF1/Interagency conference call) ¶18. (SBU) Plans to provide security at food distribution sites have not been finalized. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) ¶19. (SBU) State/PRM staff is en route to the Dominican Republic and will travel to the DR-Haiti border to assess outflows. (TF1/Interagency conference call) ¶20. (SBU) Security at Haitian ports, handled by the civilian Port Authorities, is "very good" and will not be an issue. However, the main port is damaged, with considerable repairs needed. (TF1/U.S. Navy POC in Port-au-Prince e-mail) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶21. (U) The Haitian Parliament is prepared to meet January 18 at 1000 at the Haitian Police Academy to send a message of government presence. The 82nd Airborne will secure the perimeter. (Embassy Port-au-Prince/USAID Parliament Support Program email) ¶22. (U) Additional updates are available through our Intellipedia portal on the unclassified system at: http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Ha iti_Earthquake. ¶23. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON