TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 009774 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. 49 STATE 00009774 001.2 OF 003 VIP TRAVEL -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Former Haitian Minister of Culture Danielle St. Lot expressed interest in an expedited visa to visit Washington for meetings and a possible Senate Foreign Relations Committee appearance. (TF1/Embassy Port-au- Prince/Office of Senator Nelson e-mail) SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Diplomatic Security confirmed the status of 23 missing American citizens January 30. Nine were determined to be deceased and 14 were confirmed to be alive. DS agents will investigate 13 additional cases January 31. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) COMMODITY FLOW -------------- ¶3. (SBU) UN World Food Program and NGO representatives will distribute food through nine distribution points in Port-au- Prince January 31. Coupons will enable female heads-of- household to receive a 15-day ration of rice. The WFP aims to distribute 27,200 rations per day. (USAID Haiti Situation Report #35/TF1-USAID telcon) AMERICAN CITIZEN WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS/EVACUATIONS -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) As of 1600 EST, 165 American evacuees and family members departed Port-au-Prince January 30; a total of 13,928 have been evacuated to date. There are 75 Americans and family members inside the Embassy and none outside. A total of 22,100 potential evacuees have been accounted for. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶5. (SBU) An additional 220 American citizens are expected to be evacuated the evening of January 30 by milair. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) ¶6. (SBU) There are 75 confirmed American fatalities and another 18 reported. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶7. (SBU) There are no updates on LE Staff whereabouts. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶8. (SBU) Remains of three American citizens are scheduled to depart Port-au-Prince at 1950 EST for repatriation to Dover Air Force Base. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) MEDICAL RESPONSE -------------- STATE 00009774 002.2 OF 003 ¶9. (SBU) Doctors on the USNS COMFORT performed 45 surgeries in the past 24 hours and are providing care to 31 patients in critical condition. (TF1/Interagency Conference Call) ¶10. (SBU) The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported January 29 that the Government of Haiti estimates at least 500,000 persons are still in need of shelter. At least 30 sites have been identified to establish temporary tent communities in Port-au-Prince. (PAHO SitRep #16) INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS -------------- ¶11. (SBU) On January 29, WFP announced it would extend emergency operations for another six months to further assist vulnerable Haitians, including young children at risk of malnutrition, and to support essential rehabilitation measures. (PAHO SitRep #16) DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS -------------- ¶12. (SBU) The USS CARL VINSON and USS BUNKER HILL are awaiting orders to depart Haiti. Aircraft assets on both vessels will be transferred to the USS BATAAN to satisfy airlift and other aviation requirements. (TF1/SOUTHCOM e- mail) ¶13. (SBU) An additional ten CBP officers deployed to Haiti January 30 to assist with pre-departure activities. (CBP SitRep) HUMANITARIAN/SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶14. (U) Haiti's Culture and Communications Minister said it could take weeks to obtain the 200,000 tents needed for Haiti's homeless. Some Haitians are making a risky return to destroyed homes. (AP) ¶15. (SBU) Lafiteau, a privately-owned port facility, has been identified as the alternate discharge point for U.S.-flag commercial vessels carrying aid cargo and military supplies to Haiti. (MARAD MCC SitRep) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶16. (SBU) Ten American citizens on a relief mission were arrested in Haiti while attempting to transfer 33 orphans into the Dominican Republic, where the ten planned to set up an orphanage. Embassy Port-au-Prince has made contact with the police and is en route to meet the group. (TF2/Embassy Santo Domingo telcon, TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince telcon) ¶17. (U) Haitian parliamentarians plan to ask President Preval to postpone upcoming elections and instead extend their terms of office by two years, UN officials reported. STATE 00009774 003.2 OF 003 (nytimes.com) ¶18. (U) Additional updates are available through our Intellipedia portal on the unclassified system at: http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Ha iti_Earthquake. ¶19. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON