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Haiti quake: Aid workers' diaries Haiti quake: Aid workers' diaries
(20 minutes later)
Supplies arrive in Port-au-Prince. Photo: Tony CeceSupplies arrive in Port-au-Prince. Photo: Tony Cece
Rescue teams and supplies are slowly starting to get to some people in Haiti's capital.Rescue teams and supplies are slowly starting to get to some people in Haiti's capital.
British aid workers are among those involved with helping victims of Tuesday's earthquake. The following people are sharing their diaries with us:British aid workers are among those involved with helping victims of Tuesday's earthquake. The following people are sharing their diaries with us:
• Emerson Tan, MapAction • David Darg, Operation Blessing • Carwyn Hill, Haiti Hospital Appeal • Martin Harrison, HCJB Global Hands • Stuart Coles, Plan International • Emerson Tan, MapAction • David Darg, Operation Blessing • Carwyn Hill, Haiti Hospital Appeal • Martin Harrison, HCJB Global Hands • Stuart Coles, Plan International • Isabelle Jeanson, Médecins Sans Frontières
• Isabelle Jeanson, Médecins Sans Frontières class="bodl" href="/2/hi/americas/8465060.stm">Aid workers' diaries Saturday 16 class="bodl" href="/2/hi/americas/8465048.stm">Aid workers' diaries Friday 15 class="bodl" href="/2/hi/americas/8465047.stm">Aid workers' diaries Thursday 14 class="bodl" href="/2/hi/americas/8464620.stm">Your stories: Sunday 17 January
class="bodl" href="/2/hi/americas/8464620.stm">Your stories: Sunday 17 January class="bodl" href="/2/hi/americas/8464929.stm">Your video of the aftermath STUART COLES
SUNDAY 17 JANUARY - STUART COLES
I see dawn rise and hear the sound of singing as I stand on the terrace roof.I see dawn rise and hear the sound of singing as I stand on the terrace roof.
For this devout Catholic country, today is a traditional day of worship, contemplation - and many funerals.For this devout Catholic country, today is a traditional day of worship, contemplation - and many funerals.
Help is here but it's still woefully inadequate in this battered city - everyone is stretched to capacityHelp is here but it's still woefully inadequate in this battered city - everyone is stretched to capacity
The people of Port-au-Prince pause to remember their loved ones, but with no shortage of the living in desperate need of help, this rare moment of reflection is gone all too soon.The people of Port-au-Prince pause to remember their loved ones, but with no shortage of the living in desperate need of help, this rare moment of reflection is gone all too soon.
Thousands upon thousands of homeless Haitians still walk the streets in a desperate search for those vital services - water and shelter - that will keep them safe and alive.Thousands upon thousands of homeless Haitians still walk the streets in a desperate search for those vital services - water and shelter - that will keep them safe and alive.
Help is here but it's still woefully inadequate in this battered city - everyone is stretched to capacity.Help is here but it's still woefully inadequate in this battered city - everyone is stretched to capacity.
Yesterday we visited one of Plan's partner organisations - a local clinic. Staff have been swamped with hundreds of casualties, all with typical quake injuries: head, upper and lower limb fractures and wounds.Yesterday we visited one of Plan's partner organisations - a local clinic. Staff have been swamped with hundreds of casualties, all with typical quake injuries: head, upper and lower limb fractures and wounds.
In a desperate bid to help the most at risk the clinic refers some cases to the specialists at Medicins Sans Frontiers, but they tell us they too are at full stretch.In a desperate bid to help the most at risk the clinic refers some cases to the specialists at Medicins Sans Frontiers, but they tell us they too are at full stretch.
And so it goes on. Relentless.And so it goes on. Relentless.
Our communications team, myself and video journalist Shona, head south. The quake has turned the usual two-hour drive to Jacmel into a savage, bone-jarring 12-hour mountain slog.Our communications team, myself and video journalist Shona, head south. The quake has turned the usual two-hour drive to Jacmel into a savage, bone-jarring 12-hour mountain slog.
Plan's relief boat from the Domican Republic is on its way to isolated Jacmel with trucks bearing 1,000 family-sized tents and hundreds of emergency kits containing essentials of water, dried food, sugar soap, plastic sheeting, cups and plates.Plan's relief boat from the Domican Republic is on its way to isolated Jacmel with trucks bearing 1,000 family-sized tents and hundreds of emergency kits containing essentials of water, dried food, sugar soap, plastic sheeting, cups and plates.
A seemingly mundane grocery list, but here these goods take on a new, priceless value.A seemingly mundane grocery list, but here these goods take on a new, priceless value.
We hope to reach the coast by nightfall and see what challenges and future the people of Jacmel face.We hope to reach the coast by nightfall and see what challenges and future the people of Jacmel face.
SUNDAY 17 JANUARY - ISABELLE JEANSON ISABELLE JEANSON
The situation remains critical, few aid agencies are in place, still hundreds of bodies are stuck in buildings. In the entire city, I've only seen about four or five trucks and cranes trying to remove buildings to get people out.The situation remains critical, few aid agencies are in place, still hundreds of bodies are stuck in buildings. In the entire city, I've only seen about four or five trucks and cranes trying to remove buildings to get people out.
The smell can be overwhelming in some areas, where corpses are rotting in the heat, and near Internal Displaced Persons gatherings, because there is no sanitation, no showers, no latrines, and people are gathering in the hundreds anywhere where there is open space in the city.The smell can be overwhelming in some areas, where corpses are rotting in the heat, and near Internal Displaced Persons gatherings, because there is no sanitation, no showers, no latrines, and people are gathering in the hundreds anywhere where there is open space in the city.
At night, we must be careful not to run over people who are sleeping on the roads. I saw one person sleep in the middle of an intersection, just to avoid any buildings that may fall if there is another earthquake.At night, we must be careful not to run over people who are sleeping on the roads. I saw one person sleep in the middle of an intersection, just to avoid any buildings that may fall if there is another earthquake.
On my way back from an assessment in Legoane (about one hour from Port au Prince) in the dark around 1800 yesterday, we crossed some check points set up by civilians.On my way back from an assessment in Legoane (about one hour from Port au Prince) in the dark around 1800 yesterday, we crossed some check points set up by civilians.
They were jumping on a pick-up truck, that was carrying a load of corpses. They were very angry because the driver was going to dump the corpses in their town.They were jumping on a pick-up truck, that was carrying a load of corpses. They were very angry because the driver was going to dump the corpses in their town.
People were angry about this but I would be too, if someone was dumping corpses in my town!People were angry about this but I would be too, if someone was dumping corpses in my town!
When we crossed the checkpoints, they let us through no problem and showed respect for us.When we crossed the checkpoints, they let us through no problem and showed respect for us.
Last night we could smell that horrible smell, because the windows are open in the house. That team is under a lot of stress because they have extremely limited surgical capabilities.Last night we could smell that horrible smell, because the windows are open in the house. That team is under a lot of stress because they have extremely limited surgical capabilities.
I spoke to a surgeon yesterday, and he was so frustrated and stressed about the fact that five patients he saw yesterday needed immediate surgery.I spoke to a surgeon yesterday, and he was so frustrated and stressed about the fact that five patients he saw yesterday needed immediate surgery.
But he can't save their lives because they don't have a proper operational theatre. We need more space to perform surgeries, which the inflatable hospital will provide - if it ever arrives!But he can't save their lives because they don't have a proper operational theatre. We need more space to perform surgeries, which the inflatable hospital will provide - if it ever arrives!
So, it's getting worse because the patients who were not critical only three days ago, are now in critical phases. This means that people will die from preventable infections.So, it's getting worse because the patients who were not critical only three days ago, are now in critical phases. This means that people will die from preventable infections.
It's horrible, it's really so terrible that people are begging for help and we can't help them all to save their lives.It's horrible, it's really so terrible that people are begging for help and we can't help them all to save their lives.
SUNDAY 17 JANUARY - EMERSON TAN EMERSON TAN
It's the night shift here at the operations base and it is finally quiet. The MapAction team is still up preparing directions and maps for the morning's missions. The window is fast closing and the urban search and rescue team are going for a final push to find and extract people. We in the back-office are also pushing to get what they need to maximise the time left. The camaraderie among all in the operation is great and there is the feeling that every life saved is a tribute to all.It's the night shift here at the operations base and it is finally quiet. The MapAction team is still up preparing directions and maps for the morning's missions. The window is fast closing and the urban search and rescue team are going for a final push to find and extract people. We in the back-office are also pushing to get what they need to maximise the time left. The camaraderie among all in the operation is great and there is the feeling that every life saved is a tribute to all.
SUNDAY 17 JANUARY - CARWYN HILLSUNDAY 17 JANUARY - CARWYN HILL
This morning I arrived back from my first trip to Port-au-Prince. I can barely believe what I have seen. It is as if I entered a different world. Yesterday's mission was to seek out appropriate places for us to send aid. The water we handed out was an incredible blessing, and today we are planning a large truck to take down thousands of water sachets. We will also be transporting some very important medical supplies to an Orthopaedic Surgery team in Port-au-Prince who we work with.This morning I arrived back from my first trip to Port-au-Prince. I can barely believe what I have seen. It is as if I entered a different world. Yesterday's mission was to seek out appropriate places for us to send aid. The water we handed out was an incredible blessing, and today we are planning a large truck to take down thousands of water sachets. We will also be transporting some very important medical supplies to an Orthopaedic Surgery team in Port-au-Prince who we work with.
It took us over 4 hours to get from one side of the city to the other. People walked through the streets aimlessly with nowhere to go, carrying the few bags and possessions they had left. Many crammed onto any vehicle available desperate to leave. The mass exodus of Port-au-Prince has begun, and on our way out we followed cars full of the injured, and in some cases even the dead.It took us over 4 hours to get from one side of the city to the other. People walked through the streets aimlessly with nowhere to go, carrying the few bags and possessions they had left. Many crammed onto any vehicle available desperate to leave. The mass exodus of Port-au-Prince has begun, and on our way out we followed cars full of the injured, and in some cases even the dead.
As we drove through the city the scale of the atrocity sunk in further. Human bodies were used beside burning tires and rocks for road blocks. Some roads had been closed whilst one of the few remaining hospitals discharged the mass of patients they couldn't help any more. Those hospitals that did survive are dangerously low on medication and most, from my understanding are completely out of supplies. People are turned away, even a child I saw carried in desperately by his mother. Tragically the doctors just had to say, 'we can't do anything, you must look elsewhere.' At the moment though there simply isn't really anywhere to go.As we drove through the city the scale of the atrocity sunk in further. Human bodies were used beside burning tires and rocks for road blocks. Some roads had been closed whilst one of the few remaining hospitals discharged the mass of patients they couldn't help any more. Those hospitals that did survive are dangerously low on medication and most, from my understanding are completely out of supplies. People are turned away, even a child I saw carried in desperately by his mother. Tragically the doctors just had to say, 'we can't do anything, you must look elsewhere.' At the moment though there simply isn't really anywhere to go.
On the way back our car was full of refugees. It was strange hearing their conversations as they listed the dead. We had just a small number of the many thousands leaving. Many already filling hospitals up North. Our 'unfinished' wards are now being prepared for action. We've bought mattresses, cleaned beds, and got the ward as finished as possible with what we have. Our staff have worked tirelessly on this. We don't know when we will start receiving patients as we will be acting as an overflow facility for the government hospital which struggles on a normal day without the predicted large influx of people.On the way back our car was full of refugees. It was strange hearing their conversations as they listed the dead. We had just a small number of the many thousands leaving. Many already filling hospitals up North. Our 'unfinished' wards are now being prepared for action. We've bought mattresses, cleaned beds, and got the ward as finished as possible with what we have. Our staff have worked tirelessly on this. We don't know when we will start receiving patients as we will be acting as an overflow facility for the government hospital which struggles on a normal day without the predicted large influx of people.
SUNDAY 17 JANUARY - MARTIN HARRISON, WATER ENGINEER MARTIN HARRISON, WATER ENGINEER
"We have at least 300 people in a 100 bed hospital""We have at least 300 people in a 100 bed hospital"
I've been living in Ecuador for four years. I'm originally from Yorkshire. I'm with a team of seven medical staff working at the Baptist Haiti Mission hospital on a mountain above Port-au-Prince.I've been living in Ecuador for four years. I'm originally from Yorkshire. I'm with a team of seven medical staff working at the Baptist Haiti Mission hospital on a mountain above Port-au-Prince.
It's a 100-bed hospital and we have at least 300 people here. When we got here there was only one doctor, he was almost falling asleep on his feet from exhaustion and was absolutely delighted to see us.It's a 100-bed hospital and we have at least 300 people here. When we got here there was only one doctor, he was almost falling asleep on his feet from exhaustion and was absolutely delighted to see us.
Injured people are lining the corridors of the hospital and about 50 are outside the gate waiting. We have some security to try and control things and if somebody comes in who is close to death we'll take them in and treat them, otherwise, we've worked out a system where we treat priority cases first.Injured people are lining the corridors of the hospital and about 50 are outside the gate waiting. We have some security to try and control things and if somebody comes in who is close to death we'll take them in and treat them, otherwise, we've worked out a system where we treat priority cases first.
We're getting a lot of people coming here because they've heard that this hospital is still standing. There are people coming down from the villages. We've heard of three villages that were completely flattened not far from here. One of these was a community of 2,000 people and every single house was destroyed. And people are coming up the mountain from the city too. Yesterday a truck full of injured people arrived.We're getting a lot of people coming here because they've heard that this hospital is still standing. There are people coming down from the villages. We've heard of three villages that were completely flattened not far from here. One of these was a community of 2,000 people and every single house was destroyed. And people are coming up the mountain from the city too. Yesterday a truck full of injured people arrived.
Broken bones is the most common injury Martin's photo diary Broken bones is the most common injury Martin's photo diary
The problem is that we're beginning to run out of materials to treat broken bones, which is the most common injury we're seeing. We're trying to ask some of the organisations at the airfield for help with supplies. There's no electricity either - we're using a generator that works on diesel but this will last two days only. In terms of injuries, we're seeing lots of people with gangrene too - it's not a pretty sight.The problem is that we're beginning to run out of materials to treat broken bones, which is the most common injury we're seeing. We're trying to ask some of the organisations at the airfield for help with supplies. There's no electricity either - we're using a generator that works on diesel but this will last two days only. In terms of injuries, we're seeing lots of people with gangrene too - it's not a pretty sight.
It's the dry season now and there's no supply of drinking water. I'm a water engineer and I'm meant to be setting up a filtering system today to create a more secure water supply. Our water will be for the hospital initially, and if we have more, we'll hopefully be able to release some to the community.It's the dry season now and there's no supply of drinking water. I'm a water engineer and I'm meant to be setting up a filtering system today to create a more secure water supply. Our water will be for the hospital initially, and if we have more, we'll hopefully be able to release some to the community.
SUNDAY 17 JANUARY - DAVID DARG DAVID DARG
David Darg (left) with Eric Lotz from Operation BlessingDavid Darg (left) with Eric Lotz from Operation Blessing
Our emergency paramedic team arrived this morning from Israel. We immediately coupled them with medicines and transported them into the heart of the quake zone and to the National hospital.Our emergency paramedic team arrived this morning from Israel. We immediately coupled them with medicines and transported them into the heart of the quake zone and to the National hospital.
Since that moment, the hospital has been inundated with patients with too few doctors to keep up with the influx of emergency cases. The halls are filled with the groans of the untreated, the screams of those undergoing treatment and the stench of those who didn't make it.Since that moment, the hospital has been inundated with patients with too few doctors to keep up with the influx of emergency cases. The halls are filled with the groans of the untreated, the screams of those undergoing treatment and the stench of those who didn't make it.
The Israeli doctors were incredible; they worked tirelessly and were extremely reluctant to leave with so many patients still waiting to be seen. But we had to pull them back to the airport before nightfall because of the lack of security in downtown Port-au-Prince.The Israeli doctors were incredible; they worked tirelessly and were extremely reluctant to leave with so many patients still waiting to be seen. But we had to pull them back to the airport before nightfall because of the lack of security in downtown Port-au-Prince.
The National hospital in Port-au-Prince. Photo: Tony CeceThe National hospital in Port-au-Prince. Photo: Tony Cece
The airport is filling with more and more relief teams every day. The relief camp looks like an Olympic village with national flags flying from nations all over the world.The airport is filling with more and more relief teams every day. The relief camp looks like an Olympic village with national flags flying from nations all over the world.
We came across a soccer field with 2000 people camping in it, many of them sick or injured. They only have one doctor between them, so we have agreed to visit the camp tomorrow and set up a clinic, provide some food and give out hygiene supplies.We came across a soccer field with 2000 people camping in it, many of them sick or injured. They only have one doctor between them, so we have agreed to visit the camp tomorrow and set up a clinic, provide some food and give out hygiene supplies.
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY - CARWYN HILL
We have just arrived in Port-au-Prince to search for the children of one of our staff and provide emergency aid with our 4x4 ambulance.
Our appeal's ambulance had been filled with water sachets, medication, first aid equipment, clothes, and some small supplies of food rations. Such aid was but a speck of dust amidst this great ocean of suffering. However, with aid only just arriving from abroad, it was a welcome respite to many.
I watched as women and children danced and sang their thanks for one sachet of water that costs less than 5p (8 US cents). Our little ambulance soon became a powerful magnet of need. Women, children and men of all ages would stare through our window pleading even for one small bit of food.
Our driver became fearful that some of these crowds in their desperation wanted our ambulance, and so we steadily progressed through the city, not hanging around in any one place for too long.
As we drove on, the scale of this tragedy began to unfold. The rotting bodies of victims lay piled along many of the streets. Most were covered in old, dirty sheets scarcely large enough to hide the tragic images below. Make shift coffins occasionally weaved in and out of the crowds of people, carried by groups of men.
One of our main objectives had been to search for the children of one of our staff. Our employee Simone had waited three days to find out whether her four children had survived. The relief was incredible as she heard the news that her family were alive. There aren't many glimmers of hope but when you find them, you cherish them.
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY - EMERSON TAN
1300 local time (1900GMT)
We are working like crazy. Everyone very tired and filthy. Racing against the clock. Just pinned down the location of a trapped two-year-old and dispatched a team to attempt a rescue. UK team had some successes but one agonising failure when an 18-year-old girl died minutes away from rescue. Too busy to be sad.
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY - STUART COLES Stuart Coles is travelling to Haiti with children's charity Plan International
The Dominican Republic has given us a false sense of security. Haiti would not like to be described as its poor neighbour, but the contrast is stark.
The nearer we inch towards Port-au-Prince, the worst the damage. It is a drive through hell - I try to focus on filming as we pass bodies lying where they fell on the street, coffins being carried and buildings being levelled by bulldozers. We don't know if there are still people inside as we pass.
We meet with our local Plan Haiti colleagues, who explain their experiences and what they have been doing. While handing out vital food, shelter and hygiene kits, they have been dealing with their own personal trauma and loss.
We know the psychological impact on children will be huge and hidden, it is visible in the strained faces of adult colleagues.
Our next target is to help the people of Jacmel, a coastal town of some 150,000 people where reportedly 65% of homes are badly damaged, away from the glare of the media.
US Army helicopters constantly deafen out our emergency meeting but everyone knows the military presence is vital in this landscape with no open shops or banks. There are fears of looting and there's a desperate need for more help soon.
SATURDAY 16 JANUARY - DAVID DARG
The smell of death lingers in Port-au-Prince. Picture: David Darg
We're in - after a long struggle, we were finally able to get two seats on a plane.
As soon as we ventured into Port-au-Prince, we were met with horrific scenes of injured Haitians lining the pavement, desperate for medical attention.
Many Haitians are wearing coverings over their mouths and noses to hide the pungent smell of death that lingers in the air.
In the heat people are desperate for water. We saw small children bathing in and drinking from a muddy puddle. As the desperation amongst the survivors grows, so does the anxiety and frustration.
Some people are also carrying belongings along the streets in suitcases or on their heads, there seems to be quite a migration of people from what is left of the city.
This has been one of the most difficult launches to a disaster that I have experienced but the delays at the airport are a sign that the world is reaching out to Haiti like never before.
Medical centres have sprung up in the capital. Picture: David Darg
The Spanish rescue team that we have been shuttling into the quake zone came back with disappointing news that they had only found dead bodies today. Most rescuers are now suggesting that due to the intense heat it is very unlikely any more survivors will be found.
We are gearing up for emergency food distributions at medical clinics staged out of a damaged primary school.
I just ate a US military ready to eat meal and hope to sleep soon. My mat and sleeping bag on the hangar floor will not be too uncomfortable but huge cargo planes roaring down the runway just a few hundred yards away might make it for another long night.
FRIDAY 15 JANUARY - STUART COLES
Communication in every sense is proving to be the essential issue in Haiti.
While tens of thousands of people await help - trapped, injured, dying - speed is the issue.
Our flight is packed with aid teams from across the globe; doctors, technicians, firemen, communications specialists, from France, Germany, the UK and quake-prone countries like Mexico, Italy, Turkey.
All ready and desperate to get to Port-au-Prince and help. They are given rounds of applause from the crew and tourists on the flight as we touch down.
But their job is anything but easy.
Cancelled flights, the levelling of UN and other organisations and infrastructure has created a massive barrier through which this vital pipeline of aid must flow.
Frustration can easily mount on all sides faced with such difficulties.
I spend the flight talking to a German surgeon who expresses near anger at the 'disaster waiting to happen' that is Port-au-Prince building regulations and the house of cards that came down upon its inhabitants.
He is a Handel-loving, chess fanatic - just the kind of calm presence you need in these kind of situations, but he, like all, doesn't know how and when he will reach the target zone.
We discuss children. I explain Plan's need to reach these most vulnerable sections quickly and keep them protected.
We wait among teams of Italian sniffer dog teams, literally straining at the leash to get going. Our Plan colleagues in the Dominican Republic will now set off to join the growing convoy that is reportedly queuing up at the border.
Meanwhile our staff in Haiti are working flat-out, reaching the most in need. Pushing aside their own traumas and losses, pain and fear, to do their professional best.
Plan has a 30-year respected history in Haiti - but it will need much more help, money and resources in this most desperate of hours.
FRIDAY 15 JANUARY - EMERSON TAN
AFTERNOON:
We're in and it's very busy. Some order is coming to the rescue operations. Lots of people are still trapped. All the teams are deployed often minutes after unloading their kit, racing against time in the heat. Could do with some cool weather here.
MORNING:
Unable to land at Port-au-Prince due to overcrowding. Circled for 15 minutes before fuel forced us to head back to the Dominican Republic.
All air ops are suspended until they can turn stuff on the ground around.
We're putting pressure on the US who are running stuff on the ground. Dog teams (who need to be in first) are very annoyed.
FRIDAY 15 JANUARY - DAVID DARG
I'm in the Dominican Republic and exhausted after another night of travel and little sleep.
Aid workers and news crews have been pouring in from all over the world and the airport has been a mad house of teams trying to fly into Port-au-Prince as soon as they can.
Hundreds of planes are trying to get to Port-au-Prince. Picture: Eric Lotz
I was hoping to be in Haiti by now, but flights were suspended this afternoon because of congestion at Port-au-Prince airport. There are hundreds of planes trying to get into the Haitian capital, but the temporary air traffic control system just hasn't been able to keep up.
Apparently there are men with clipboards keeping track of the planes circling the airport and men on quad bikes guiding the aircraft into the limited parking space once they land.
One light aircraft pilot I spoke to in Santo Domingo had to call in an emergency landing this morning after circling Port-au-Prince for 45 minutes and running short of fuel.
Fortunately, I have been able to secure a seat with one colleague on a four-seat Cessna leaving at 6am. Many television crews and aid workers have been refused passage because they had too much equipment or luggage, and many are having to make the difficult decision of whether or not to split up and go in smaller groups.
My colleague, Eric Lotz, has been at Port-au-Prince airport all day working to offer Operation Blessing logistical support in the transport of relief goods and rescue teams.
We have teamed up with a search and rescue team from Spain and will be transporting them deep into the quake zone and back again tomorrow evening. They have arrived with four specially trained sniffer dogs and will spend the whole day looking for survivors amongst the sea of rubble that is now Port-au-Prince.
The Spanish team has brought specially trained sniffer dogs
In desperation, many aid groups and media teams are choosing to hire drivers and travel overland to Port-au-Prince from the Dominican Republic. Two photographers I spoke to this evening are leaving at 2am and driving through the night, a move that many would consider extremely dangerous at the best of times.
I have been hearing reports of a sea of Haitians at the Dominican Republic border desperate to get across for medical treatment.
I'm relieved to be on a flight in the morning and now off to try to catch a few hours' sleep in anticipation of some extremely long hours tomorrow.
THURSDAY 14 JANUARY - EMERSON TAN
I'm part of a team of volunteer aid workers stuck at Gatwick airport trying to get to Haiti. It seems the weather here is adding to the problems.
There are four of us from my group, MapAction, and then over 70 rescue specialists. The sniffer dogs are here as well.
A lot of buildings are badly constructed, though the shacks are where more people are likely to survive
We provide mapping and information for all the aid agencies. We go in to a disaster area and make assessments on where and what aid is needed.
We work out how much damage has been done and where survivors might be. We can build a picture for everyone else. Other agencies can then allocate resources.
Haiti is extremely poor and a lot of its buildings are badly constructed. Strangely though, the shacks are where more people are likely to survive. The building materials are lightweight and survivors can get out more easily.
At the moment, the rescue efforts will be localised with friends, neighbours and family trying to get to survivors. It takes time to mobilise heavy equipment and so it will take a bit longer before we see the larger scale operation get going.
I feel frustrated that we're stuck here because of the snow but there's not a lot I can do about it. I'm actually looking forward to the long flight because it will be my last chance to get a decent amount of sleep for what may be over a week once I land.
I feel some excitement and some trepidation but I feel very prepared. It will be traumatic.
THURSDAY 14 JANUARY - DAVID DARG
I was in Haiti less than a month ago working with our Port-au-Prince based project coordinator, Eric Lotz. Operation Blessing had been asked by President Clinton's office of the UN envoy to carry out an assessment of the sewage system at the national hospital in Port-au-Prince.
Operation Blessing workers at the hospital in Port-au-Prince. Picture: Eric Lotz
On 12 January, we began to pump out the sewage so we could get to the broken pump.
Eric and I exchanged several messages over our Blackberrys over the course of the morning. At 1149 he sent through a photograph he took with his phone of the clean up crew shovelling the sewage. Then at 1450 Eric sent another message about the work he was doing. That was the last message I received from Eric that day.
The next message I received about Haiti was from the US Geological survey at 1712. I glanced at the email and was shocked at the subject line: "2010-01-12 21:53:09 (Mw 7.0) Haiti region". I was even more concerned that the message said the earthquake's epicentre was Port-au-Prince.
Earthquake damage. Picture: Eric Lotz
I immediately tried to call Eric but nothing happened. One early report was that a hospital had collapsed in Port-au-Prince. Knowing that Eric was at the hospital I was extremely concerned. I tried calling him many times but just could not get through.
After 24 hours we finally received word that Eric was alive. He had fled from the crumbling hospital and then walked eight miles through death and destruction to get home. His family are all alive but his home was destroyed.
I'm currently in Miami, in the morning I am flying into the Dominican Republic and from there will join colleagues for the long drive to Port-au-Prince. Once I arrive I will be coordinating relief efforts, efforts which are likely to last for a very long time.