This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8460574.stm

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Haiti quake aid effort hampered Haiti quake aid effort hampered
(10 minutes later)
Bottlenecks and infrastructure damage have been holding up aid efforts in Haiti, where Tuesday's earthquake has left as many as 45,000-50,000 dead.Bottlenecks and infrastructure damage have been holding up aid efforts in Haiti, where Tuesday's earthquake has left as many as 45,000-50,000 dead.
There is little sign of humanitarian supplies beyond the Port-au-Prince airport, and correspondents say there is increasing anger among survivors.There is little sign of humanitarian supplies beyond the Port-au-Prince airport, and correspondents say there is increasing anger among survivors.
Many are spending a third night without shelter in the ruined capital.Many are spending a third night without shelter in the ruined capital.
A US aircraft carrier is due to arrive off the coast of Haiti to help co-ordinate the movement of supplies.A US aircraft carrier is due to arrive off the coast of Haiti to help co-ordinate the movement of supplies.
President Barack Obama pledged a huge aid effort, but warned it would take time for help to reach people.President Barack Obama pledged a huge aid effort, but warned it would take time for help to reach people.
InsecurityInsecurity
But on the ground, correspondents said there was little immediate sign of a co-ordinated relief effort.But on the ground, correspondents said there was little immediate sign of a co-ordinated relief effort.
AT THE SCENE Andy Gallacher, BBC News, Port-au-Prince AT THE SCENE George Alagiah, Port-au-Prince
The extent of the devastation is almost impossible to calculate. This is really a crisis on the cusp of becoming much worse.
Entire communities, schools and police stations are gone. The first 48 hours are absolutely crucial. I have a worry that the aid is not going to get out quickly enough. There is no lifting capacity, no institutions of state that normally are expected to kick in.
Voices that were once being heard from inside the rubble have now fallen silent. The streets are littered with corpses, there are survivors, there are people looking for their families to see if they have any survivors. It's chaotic.
Many people here have shown patience so far, but now the mood is changing. They are desperate people. It wouldn't be the first crisis in which people resorted to what we call looting, but they are just trying find some food and water.
Some aid is trickling into the airport and some search and rescue teams are on the ground.
But for so many Haitians this is too little too late. Haiti desperate for help
Planes queued to land at the airport, while the port was too damaged to use. Roads were blocked by debris.Planes queued to land at the airport, while the port was too damaged to use. Roads were blocked by debris.
The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Port-au-Prince says those that survived the massive earthquake are now dying in huge numbers, and clean water, food and medical supplies are desperately needed.The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Port-au-Prince says those that survived the massive earthquake are now dying in huge numbers, and clean water, food and medical supplies are desperately needed.
Bodies piled up on the streets and bulldozers were being used to remove the dead, and there is mounting frustration and anger.Bodies piled up on the streets and bulldozers were being used to remove the dead, and there is mounting frustration and anger.
"We hear on the radio that rescue teams are coming from the outside, but nothing is coming," said one man, Jean-Baptiste Lafontin Wilfried."We hear on the radio that rescue teams are coming from the outside, but nothing is coming," said one man, Jean-Baptiste Lafontin Wilfried.
"We need food. We need pure water. The people are suffering. My neighbours and friends are suffering," Port-au-Prince resident Sylvain Angerlotte, 22, told the Associated Press news agency."We need food. We need pure water. The people are suffering. My neighbours and friends are suffering," Port-au-Prince resident Sylvain Angerlotte, 22, told the Associated Press news agency.
David Wimhurst, a spokesman for the Brazilian-led UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, said: "Unfortunately, they're slowly getting more angry and impatient."David Wimhurst, a spokesman for the Brazilian-led UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti, said: "Unfortunately, they're slowly getting more angry and impatient."
The UN headquarters has collapsed and correspondents say there is little official presence in Port-au-Prince despite reports of looting.The UN headquarters has collapsed and correspondents say there is little official presence in Port-au-Prince despite reports of looting.
They want us to provide them with help, which is, of course, what we want to do David WimhurstUN spokesman Sleeping among the dead Survivors' stories href="/2/hi/americas/8456730.stm">Haiti: How to help class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8460599.stm">LIVE: Updates on situation Pictures: Searching the rubble They want us to provide them with help, which is, of course, what we want to do David WimhurstUN spokesman Sleeping among the dead Survivors' stories LIVE: Updates on situation Pictures: Searching the rubble
"Our biggest problem is insecurity," Delfin Antonio Rodriguez, the rescue commander from the neighbouring Dominican Republic, told AFP news agency on Friday."Our biggest problem is insecurity," Delfin Antonio Rodriguez, the rescue commander from the neighbouring Dominican Republic, told AFP news agency on Friday.
"Yesterday they tried to hijack some of our trucks. Today we were barely able to work in some places because of that.""Yesterday they tried to hijack some of our trucks. Today we were barely able to work in some places because of that."
The UN World Food Programme said its warehouses in Port-au-Prince been looted, and it was unclear how much of its stockpile remained.The UN World Food Programme said its warehouses in Port-au-Prince been looted, and it was unclear how much of its stockpile remained.
A WFP spokeswoman in Geneva, Emilia Casella, said on Friday that the agency was preparing to send enough meals to feed 2 million people for a month.A WFP spokeswoman in Geneva, Emilia Casella, said on Friday that the agency was preparing to send enough meals to feed 2 million people for a month.
Asked about delays, she said extensive damage to Haiti's infrastructure meant that moving tonnes of aid represented a huge challenge.Asked about delays, she said extensive damage to Haiti's infrastructure meant that moving tonnes of aid represented a huge challenge.
Race against timeRace against time
Meanwhile in Washington, President Obama said some US rescuers were already on the ground in Haiti and more were on their way.Meanwhile in Washington, President Obama said some US rescuers were already on the ground in Haiti and more were on their way.
Satellite and close-up images of Port-au-Prince devastation
Speaking on Thursday, he promised the country "every element of our national capacity, our diplomacy, and development assistance".Speaking on Thursday, he promised the country "every element of our national capacity, our diplomacy, and development assistance".
Mr Obama pledged an immediate $100m for Haiti's relief effort and said that investment would grow over the coming year to aid long-term recovery.Mr Obama pledged an immediate $100m for Haiti's relief effort and said that investment would grow over the coming year to aid long-term recovery.
The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and the USS Bataan, carrying a marine expeditionary unit, are on their way to Haiti.The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and the USS Bataan, carrying a marine expeditionary unit, are on their way to Haiti.
Shaul Schwarz, a photographer for Time magazine, told the BBC he had seen a roadblock formed with bodies of quake victims on a main road, south of the capital.Shaul Schwarz, a photographer for Time magazine, told the BBC he had seen a roadblock formed with bodies of quake victims on a main road, south of the capital.
He said he believed this was an "act of anger" on the part of people who are not getting help.He said he believed this was an "act of anger" on the part of people who are not getting help.
Haitian former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who has been living in exile since he was ousted in 2004, has offered to return to take part in the reconstruction efforts.Haitian former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who has been living in exile since he was ousted in 2004, has offered to return to take part in the reconstruction efforts.
About 45,000-50,000 people have died since Tuesday's 7.0 magnitude earthquake and 300,000 have been made homeless, the UN estimates.About 45,000-50,000 people have died since Tuesday's 7.0 magnitude earthquake and 300,000 have been made homeless, the UN estimates.
In total, 3.5m have been affected, the UN says.In total, 3.5m have been affected, the UN says.
On Friday, the UN said a total of about $270m (£165m) in international aid had been pledged so far.On Friday, the UN said a total of about $270m (£165m) in international aid had been pledged so far.
Aid groups say it is a race against time to find trapped survivors.Aid groups say it is a race against time to find trapped survivors.
A British rescue team with heavy lifting gear and dogs has reached Haiti.A British rescue team with heavy lifting gear and dogs has reached Haiti.
Other plane-loads of rescuers and relief supplies are being sent from China, the EU, Canada, Russia and Latin American nations.Other plane-loads of rescuers and relief supplies are being sent from China, the EU, Canada, Russia and Latin American nations.
Mr Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, working with Brazil, Canada and other countries, will organise a conference on reconstruction in Haiti, the French presidency has announced.Mr Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, working with Brazil, Canada and other countries, will organise a conference on reconstruction in Haiti, the French presidency has announced.
Have you or your family been affected by the earthquake? Are you taking part in the relief effort? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Have you or your family been affected by the earthquake? Are you taking part in the relief effort? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
You can also send your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or if you have a large file you can upload here.You can also send your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or if you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions