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| Clinton visits quake-hit Haitians | Clinton visits quake-hit Haitians |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has become the first senior Western official to arrive in Haiti after the earthquake that flattened the capital. | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has become the first senior Western official to arrive in Haiti after the earthquake that flattened the capital. |
| Mrs Clinton told the Haitian people that the US would be "here today, tomorrow and for the time ahead". | Mrs Clinton told the Haitian people that the US would be "here today, tomorrow and for the time ahead". |
| Tens of thousands of people were killed and survivors have grown desperate as they wait for aid to arrive. | Tens of thousands of people were killed and survivors have grown desperate as they wait for aid to arrive. |
| The UN has meanwhile confirmed the head of its mission in Haiti has been found dead in the rubble of its headquarters. | The UN has meanwhile confirmed the head of its mission in Haiti has been found dead in the rubble of its headquarters. |
| Earlier, Chinese rescuers told the Xinhua news agency that the body of Hedi Annabi, a Tunisian, had been recovered from the building in Port-au-Prince at 1422 local time (2022 GMT) on Saturday. | Earlier, Chinese rescuers told the Xinhua news agency that the body of Hedi Annabi, a Tunisian, had been recovered from the building in Port-au-Prince at 1422 local time (2022 GMT) on Saturday. |
| You have been severely tested, but I believe that Haiti can come back even better and stronger in the future Hillary Clinton | You have been severely tested, but I believe that Haiti can come back even better and stronger in the future Hillary Clinton |
| In a statement issued shortly afterwards, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also confirmed the death of Mr Annabi's deputy, Luiz Carlos da Costa of Brazil, and the acting police commissioner, Doug Coates of Canada. | In a statement issued shortly afterwards, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also confirmed the death of Mr Annabi's deputy, Luiz Carlos da Costa of Brazil, and the acting police commissioner, Doug Coates of Canada. |
| "In every sense of the word, they gave their lives for peace," he said. | "In every sense of the word, they gave their lives for peace," he said. |
| "Our hearts are with them, the families and friends of Hedi, Luiz, Doug and the many other UN heroes who gave their lives for Haiti and for the highest ideals of the United Nations," he added. | "Our hearts are with them, the families and friends of Hedi, Luiz, Doug and the many other UN heroes who gave their lives for Haiti and for the highest ideals of the United Nations," he added. |
| Criticism 'not fair' | Criticism 'not fair' |
| Mrs Clinton, who is being accompanied by US Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Rajiv Shah, arrived on a US Coast Guard C-130 carrying aid and is to leave on another with evacuees. | Mrs Clinton, who is being accompanied by US Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Rajiv Shah, arrived on a US Coast Guard C-130 carrying aid and is to leave on another with evacuees. |
| Mrs Clinton dismissed criticism that aid was not leaving Port-au-Prince's airport | Mrs Clinton dismissed criticism that aid was not leaving Port-au-Prince's airport |
| After discussing the relief effort with the President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive at the airport, she told a news conference that the United States was "a friend, a partner and a supporter" of Haiti. | After discussing the relief effort with the President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive at the airport, she told a news conference that the United States was "a friend, a partner and a supporter" of Haiti. |
| "We will work with your government under the direction of President Preval to assist you in every way we can," she added. | "We will work with your government under the direction of President Preval to assist you in every way we can," she added. |
| Mrs Clinton also stressed that the US was focused on providing humanitarian assistance to those who are suffering. | Mrs Clinton also stressed that the US was focused on providing humanitarian assistance to those who are suffering. |
| She then told Haitians: "We are here at the invitation of your government to help you. We will be here today, tomorrow and for the time ahead." | She then told Haitians: "We are here at the invitation of your government to help you. We will be here today, tomorrow and for the time ahead." |
| "Speaking personally, I know of the great resilience and strength of the Haitian people. You have been severely tested, but I believe that Haiti can come back even better and stronger in the future." | "Speaking personally, I know of the great resilience and strength of the Haitian people. You have been severely tested, but I believe that Haiti can come back even better and stronger in the future." |
| AT THE SCENE Mark Doyle, BBC News, Haiti | AT THE SCENE Mark Doyle, BBC News, Haiti |
| The scene an hour's drive west of Port-au-Prince is apocalyptic. Almost every single building on the road I'm driving on now has been flattened. Reinforced concrete roofs have fallen to the floors below, or have jammed into the ground at crazy angles. | The scene an hour's drive west of Port-au-Prince is apocalyptic. Almost every single building on the road I'm driving on now has been flattened. Reinforced concrete roofs have fallen to the floors below, or have jammed into the ground at crazy angles. |
| The destruction here is even more dramatic than the dreadful conditions in the capital. People have fled to the surrounding sugarcane fields or into mangrove swamps - anything to get away from the nightmare of the falling buildings. | The destruction here is even more dramatic than the dreadful conditions in the capital. People have fled to the surrounding sugarcane fields or into mangrove swamps - anything to get away from the nightmare of the falling buildings. |
| I've seen a long line of people queuing up at a single working water tap. Tens of thousands are living in the open in church compounds, school playgrounds and marketplaces. | I've seen a long line of people queuing up at a single working water tap. Tens of thousands are living in the open in church compounds, school playgrounds and marketplaces. |
| The population here are in profound shock. Many are wearing handkerchiefs over their mouths to keep out the dust and ward of the smell of dead bodies. | The population here are in profound shock. Many are wearing handkerchiefs over their mouths to keep out the dust and ward of the smell of dead bodies. |
| Earlier, Mrs Clinton dismissed criticism that aid was not leaving the airport and being delivered to the people who needed it, saying 14 distribution centres were being established around the capital to deliver food and water to the two million people that the US and UN estimates need emergency aid. | Earlier, Mrs Clinton dismissed criticism that aid was not leaving the airport and being delivered to the people who needed it, saying 14 distribution centres were being established around the capital to deliver food and water to the two million people that the US and UN estimates need emergency aid. |
| The US military is also beginning to use a container port in Cap Haitian, in northern Haiti, which will greatly increase the volume of aid flowing into the country. Port-au-Prince's dock remains inoperable. | The US military is also beginning to use a container port in Cap Haitian, in northern Haiti, which will greatly increase the volume of aid flowing into the country. Port-au-Prince's dock remains inoperable. |
| Reports coming out of Port-au-Prince had earlier indicated that a crowd of about 1,000 people was involved in a violent fight over goods in one of the city's central commercial streets. | Reports coming out of Port-au-Prince had earlier indicated that a crowd of about 1,000 people was involved in a violent fight over goods in one of the city's central commercial streets. |
| A photographer for the Reuters news agency said that a group of men armed with knives, ice-picks, and hammers fought one another over clothing, toys and any other items they could find in destroyed houses and shops. | A photographer for the Reuters news agency said that a group of men armed with knives, ice-picks, and hammers fought one another over clothing, toys and any other items they could find in destroyed houses and shops. |
| "It's anarchy there now, total chaos, the police have gone away," Chris Barria said. "They are fighting, hitting each other, throwing stones at each other." | "It's anarchy there now, total chaos, the police have gone away," Chris Barria said. "They are fighting, hitting each other, throwing stones at each other." |
| But the UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes, played down the incidents of violence. He told the BBC that the security situation in Haiti was calm - minor incidents apart. | But the UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes, played down the incidents of violence. He told the BBC that the security situation in Haiti was calm - minor incidents apart. |
| Disaster 'like no other' | Disaster 'like no other' |
| On Saturday morning, a magnitude-4.5 aftershock struck close to the capital, forcing people to once again flee buildings. | On Saturday morning, a magnitude-4.5 aftershock struck close to the capital, forcing people to once again flee buildings. |
| According to Haitian Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime, 50,000 bodies have been collected, but the total number of dead could be "between 100,000 and 200,000". | According to Haitian Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime, 50,000 bodies have been collected, but the total number of dead could be "between 100,000 and 200,000". |
| Damage to the seaport, roads and other infrastructure has prevented the speedy distribution of supplies. | Damage to the seaport, roads and other infrastructure has prevented the speedy distribution of supplies. |
| US President Barack Obama met two of his predecessors in the White House - George W Bush and Bill Clinton - to seek their support. | US President Barack Obama met two of his predecessors in the White House - George W Bush and Bill Clinton - to seek their support. |
| After the talks, Mr Obama said the two men would lead the US fundraising efforts through the Bush-Clinton Haiti Fund. | After the talks, Mr Obama said the two men would lead the US fundraising efforts through the Bush-Clinton Haiti Fund. |
| "America is moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts in its history," Mr Obama said, warning that recovery would take a long time. | "America is moving forward with one of the largest relief efforts in its history," Mr Obama said, warning that recovery would take a long time. |
| Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton appeal for cash donations | Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton appeal for cash donations |
| President Bush urged Americans to send "cash", and President Clinton said Haitians "can escape their history and built a better future if we do our part". | President Bush urged Americans to send "cash", and President Clinton said Haitians "can escape their history and built a better future if we do our part". |
| A spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said aid workers were dealing with a disaster "like no other" in UN memory because the country had been "decapitated". | A spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said aid workers were dealing with a disaster "like no other" in UN memory because the country had been "decapitated". |
| "Government buildings have collapsed and we do not even have the support of the local infrastructure," Elisabeth Byrs said in Geneva. | "Government buildings have collapsed and we do not even have the support of the local infrastructure," Elisabeth Byrs said in Geneva. |
| Ms Byrs said the situation was even worse than the devastation wrought by the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia's Aceh province. | Ms Byrs said the situation was even worse than the devastation wrought by the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia's Aceh province. |
| "It's worse than the Indonesian earthquake where at least we could get the support of some local authorities," she said. | "It's worse than the Indonesian earthquake where at least we could get the support of some local authorities," she said. |
| The UN has launched an appeal for $562m (£346m) intended to help three million people for six months. | The UN has launched an appeal for $562m (£346m) intended to help three million people for six months. |
| A total of about $360m has been pledged so far for the relief effort, but only part of this sum will be included in the emergency appeal. | A total of about $360m has been pledged so far for the relief effort, but only part of this sum will be included in the emergency appeal. |
| US authorities have taken temporary control of the airport to help distribute aid more quickly. | US authorities have taken temporary control of the airport to help distribute aid more quickly. |
| It's worse than the Indonesian earthquake where at least we could get the support of some local authorities Elisabeth ByrsUN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs In pictures: Aid effort begins How survivors are found Haiti quake appeal nets £12m Troubled history: Haiti and US | |
| Aid may be arriving in huge quantities but there is little of it to be seen in Port-au-Prince, says the BBC's Nick Davies in the capital. | Aid may be arriving in huge quantities but there is little of it to be seen in Port-au-Prince, says the BBC's Nick Davies in the capital. |
| And many people continue to leave the city, in search of food, water and medicine. | And many people continue to leave the city, in search of food, water and medicine. |
| The UN is reporting a rise in the number of people trying to cross into the neighbouring Dominican Republic, and an influx into Haiti's northern cities. | The UN is reporting a rise in the number of people trying to cross into the neighbouring Dominican Republic, and an influx into Haiti's northern cities. |
| The US has already sent an aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to Haiti and the USS Bataan, carrying a marine expeditionary unit, is on its way. | The US has already sent an aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, to Haiti and the USS Bataan, carrying a marine expeditionary unit, is on its way. |
| A hospital ship and more helicopters are due to be sent in the coming days, carrying more troops and marines, with the total number of US troops to rise to between 9,000 and 10,000. | A hospital ship and more helicopters are due to be sent in the coming days, carrying more troops and marines, with the total number of US troops to rise to between 9,000 and 10,000. |
| Satellite and close-up images of Port-au-Prince devastation | Satellite and close-up images of Port-au-Prince devastation |
| Aid groups say it is a race against time to find any more trapped survivors. | Aid groups say it is a race against time to find any more trapped survivors. |
| Plane-loads of rescuers and relief supplies have arrived or are due from the UK, China, the EU, Canada, Russia and Latin American nations. | Plane-loads of rescuers and relief supplies have arrived or are due from the UK, China, the EU, Canada, Russia and Latin American nations. |
| The UN said about 300,000 people had been made homeless. | The UN said about 300,000 people had been made homeless. |
| Meanwhile, details are emerging about the extent of the damage beyond Port-au-Prince. | Meanwhile, details are emerging about the extent of the damage beyond Port-au-Prince. |
| Up to 90% of the buildings have been damaged in Leogane, a town about 19km (18 miles) to the west, the UN said. | Up to 90% of the buildings have been damaged in Leogane, a town about 19km (18 miles) to the west, the UN said. |
| "According to the local police, between 5,000 to 10,000 people have been killed and most bodies are still in the collapsed buildings," Elisabeth Byrs said. | "According to the local police, between 5,000 to 10,000 people have been killed and most bodies are still in the collapsed buildings," Elisabeth Byrs said. |
| 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. |
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