TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 004905 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. 24 STATE 00004905 001.4 OF 002 VIP TRAVEL -------------- ¶1. (SBU) A Lebanese government delegation is scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince on January 19 with a planeload of humanitarian aid. (TF1/Lebanon desk e-mail) SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) -------------- ¶2. (SBU) To date, international SAR teams have rescued more than 70 individuals, an unprecedented tally for a five-day SAR operation. U.S. SAR teams have rescued 39 of the 70. According to the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team, although SAR teams have completed reconnaissance in 100 percent of assigned areas in Port-au-Prince, SAR activities will continue until the Government of Haiti decides to cease operations. (TF1/USAID e-mail) COMMODITY FLOW -------------- ¶3. (SBU) OFDA delivered 7602 hygiene kits to benefit 38,010 people for two weeks. An airlift containing 300 rolls of plastic sheeting, which will meet the shelter needs of 15,000 people, is scheduled to arrive January 18. (TF1/USAID e-mail) AMERICAN CITIZEN WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS/EVACUATIONS -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) As of 1600 EST, 602 Americans departed Port-au- Prince; a total of 3325 Americans have been evacuated to date. There are 270 Americans inside the embassy and 400 outside. Another 500 Americans are at the airport, and an additional 400 are at the landing zone waiting to board departing flights. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶5. (SBU) As of 1600 EST, there were 23 confirmed American citizen fatalities. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) MEDICAL RESPONSE -------------- ¶6. (SBU) HHS will have all personnel and equipment on the ground by the evening of January 19 for full activation of five Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs),subject to availability of transportation. The DMATs will provide support to eight severely damaged hospitals and health care centers and the U.S. Embassy. (TF1/USAID e-mail) INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS -------------- ¶7. (SBU) UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon seeks to enlarge the UN peacekeeping force by 1500 police and 2000 troops. French PermRep Araud expected a resolution raising the ceiling on peacekeepers to be passed by the Security Council on January STATE 00004905 002.2 OF 002 ¶19. (AP) ¶8. (SBU) As of January 17, the World Food Program (WFP) will be taking the lead in the UN to prioritize international aid flights to Port-au-Prince. WFP has established a prioritization communication system with the U.S. military at the airport, and is reporting improved coordination of humanitarian supplies distribution. WFP has the lead for logistics coordination for the UN humanitarian effort in Haiti. (TF1/IO e-mail) DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The M/V Crimson Clover has cleared Haitian customs. Off-load operations of wheat and vegetable oil provided by USAID commenced at 0800 local at the Port-au- Prince South Customs Pier. (TF1/Coast Guard e-mail) HUMANITARIAN/SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶10. (SBU) The International Organization for Migration assesses more than 200,000 people are displaced. Reportedly, 50,000 people have departed Port-au-Prince. The daily flow of persons to the Dominican Republic is approximately 1500. The Joint Chiefs of Staff assess there is no indication that mass migration is imminent. (TF/Coast Guard e-mail) ¶11. (SBU) ICRC reports there are approximately 55,000 people in 40 informal temporary camps throughout Port-au-Prince. The Haitian government identified water distribution as the most urgent need and indicated a preference for water containers and water purification tablets. (TF1/PRM e-mail) ¶12. (SBU) The FAA Office of Airports has determined the Port- au-Prince air traffic control tower is unusable, while the terminal is 50 percent condemned. (TF1/Department of Transportation e-mail) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶13. (SBU) MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police initiated a curfew, effective January 17 at 1800 EST. (TF1/SOUTHCOM e- mail) ¶14. (U) Additional updates are available through our Intellipedia portal on the unclassified system at: http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Ha iti_Earthquake. ¶15. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON