TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 007012 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. 34 STATE 00007012 001.2 OF 002 VIP TRAVEL -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Representative James McGovern (D-MA) and a group from Lynn University visited the Hotel Montana January 23. Contrary to earlier indications, Senator John Kerry (D-MA), did not travel with the Lynn University group. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) was scheduled to arrive January 23 with the non- profit Help Bring Hope for Haiti, Inc. However, difficulties in arranging return transportation precluded the Senator from accompanying the non-profit. (TF1/DHS e-mail, TF1/OFDA e- mail, Tampa Bay Tribune) SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Government of Haiti informed Ambassador Merten at 0054 EST January 23 that it has not ceased search and rescue operations. At approximately 1630 EST, media reported a new live rescue in the capital. Six SAR teams are in country, two at the Hotel Montana. (TF1/Embassy Port-au- Prince e-mail, TF1/Interagency Conference Call, CNN) COMMODITY FLOW -------------- ¶3. (SBU) U.S. forces facilitated delivery of $2 million in cash to 12 banks around the capital January 23. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) ¶4. (SBU) The UN estimates current fuel supplies will last until the port is rehabilitated to the point where it can receive fuel shipments. (USAID SitRep#20) ¶5. (SBU) JTF-H made adjustments to the aircraft arrival schedule allowing flights from Brazil, China, and Argentina to land January 23 even though they had not arranged landing slots. JTF-H will revise the scheduling of aircraft to make the process more transparent. An Air Force Brigadier General has assumed responsibility for coordinating all air activities supported by JTF-H. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) AMERICAN CITIZEN WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS/EVACUATIONS -------------- --- ¶6. (SBU) Post reports 489 evacuees departed January 23. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) ¶7. (SBU) Post expects to process 100 orphan cases January 23 and another 100 January 24. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) ¶8. (SBU) Post expects the remains of four private American citizens and three USG family members to be repatriated to Dover AFB January 23. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) ¶9. (SBU) HHS agreed to keep its assessment team in Port-au- Prince until relieved. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) MEDICAL RESPONSE -------------- ¶10. (SBU) As of 1700 EST January 23, USNS Comfort has 243 patients on board and capacity to accommodate another 757. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call, SOUTHCOM DCO) INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS -------------- ¶11. (U) No updates at this time. DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS -------------- ¶12. (SBU) There are currently 19,063 U.S. military personnel in Haiti or on ships nearby, in addition to personnel from OFDA, DHS, HHS, and other agencies. (JTF-Haiti SitRep, TF1/OFDA telcon) HUMANITARIAN/SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶13. (SBU) The port is still operating at 30 percent capacity (about 150 containers off-loaded in 24 hours) due to damage to the pier, but SOUTHCOM estimates the port's capacity will increase to 400 containers in the next 96 hours. There are 14 ships waiting to unload. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call, USAID SitRep#20) ¶14. (SBU) Six television stations are operating between six and 12 hours daily; over 30 FM stations are also broadcasting. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶15. (SBU) Representatives of MINUSTAH, the Government of Haiti, and the Dominican armed forces will meet in Santo Domingo to arrange for the deployment of about 150 Dominican troops to MINUSTAH. (TF1/Embassy Santo Domingo e-mail) ¶16. (U) Additional updates are available through our Intellipedia portal on the unclassified system at: http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Ha iti_Earthquake. ¶17. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON