TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 009801 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. 50 STATE 00009801 001.2 OF 002 VIP TRAVEL -------------- ¶1. (SBU) No updates at this time. SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) -------------- ¶2. (SBU) No updates at this time. COMMODITY FLOW -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Nine of 16 UN World Food Program distribution points will be open in Port-au-Prince January 31 from 0900 until 1400 or until supplies run out; pro-U.S. demonstrations are planned at the U.S.-led centers. The other seven distribution centers will open by February 2. (DCO Conference Call) EVACUATIONS/AMERICAN CITIZEN AND LE STAFF WHEREABOUTS -------------- -------------- -- ¶4. (SBU) An Embassy Port-au-Prince Consular Officer visited the ten American citizens arrested for transporting orphans. The group must appear before a judge February 1. The Americans are in good health, and an Embassy team provided them with food, water and medical assistance. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail and telcon) ¶5. (SBU) As of 2000 EST, 299 American evacuees and family members departed Port-au-Prince January 30; a total of 14,062 have been evacuated to date. There are 75 Americans and family members inside the Embassy and none outside. A total of 22,500 potential evacuees have been accounted for. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail) ¶6. (SBU) There are 77 confirmed American fatalities and another 21 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) Severe weather in Dover prevented the repatriation of the remains of three American citizens January 30; the rescheduled flight is expected to depart at 1530 EST, January 31. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail; DCO Conference Call) ¶9. (SBU) Visa operations in Port-au-Prince remain STATE 00009801 002.2 OF 002 SUBJECT: TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT NO. suspended until further notice to allow Embassy staff to focus on assisting American citizens. The Embassy will process visas on a discretionary basis, and DHS/CBP is handling humanitarian parole at the airport. (TF1/TF2 e-mail) MEDICAL RESPONSE -------------- ¶10. (SBU) A thirteen-month old Haitian male died January 30 aboard the USNS COMFORT. The cause of death was not immediately known, however as a precautionary measure, a safety stand-down on the ship is scheduled for January 31. (TF1/SOUTHCOM e- mail) ¶11. (SBU) The medical staffs of most hospitals indicate the flow of earthquake trauma has slowed significantly and hospitals are now dealing with more post-operative issues and wound care. The U.S. military will build up to a 250-bed convalescent center. (DCO Conference Call) INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION/REQUESTS -------------- ¶12. (SBU) No updates at this time. DEPLOYMENT OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSETS -------------- 13.(SBU) Total U.S. forces number 20,529 (10,950 afloat, 9,579 ashore) as of 0100 EST. (DCO Conference Call) HUMANITARIAN/SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Sixty-six orphans who flew into Miami January 29 were united with prospective adoptive parents in Utah. (TF1/HHS e-mail) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶15. (SBU) There were open source reports of a Turks and Caicos freeze on repatriation. (DCO Conference Call) ¶16. (U) Additional updates are available through our Intellipedia portal on the unclassified system at: http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Ha iti_Ea rthquake. ¶17. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON