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US starts aid airdrops into Haiti US starts aid airdrops into Haiti
(about 1 hour later)
The US military has begun airdropping food and water supplies into earthquake-hit Haiti.The US military has begun airdropping food and water supplies into earthquake-hit Haiti.
Some 14,000 ready-to-eat meals and 15,000 litres of water were dropped north-east of the capital Port-au-Prince, the US said.Some 14,000 ready-to-eat meals and 15,000 litres of water were dropped north-east of the capital Port-au-Prince, the US said.
It had earlier said airdrops were too risky but congestion at the airport has hampered aid distribution. The US is now considering airdrops across Haiti.It had earlier said airdrops were too risky but congestion at the airport has hampered aid distribution. The US is now considering airdrops across Haiti.
More than 2,000 US Marines are set to join 1,000 US troops in Haiti.More than 2,000 US Marines are set to join 1,000 US troops in Haiti.
They are equipped with heavy-lifting and earth-moving equipment, a dozen helicopters and medical support facilities.They are equipped with heavy-lifting and earth-moving equipment, a dozen helicopters and medical support facilities.
Their arrival comes amid widespread violence and looting.Their arrival comes amid widespread violence and looting.
More than 70 people have been pulled from the wreckage in the last few days UN humanitarian chief John Holmes US opens doors to Haiti orphans In pictures: Haiti misery endures Battle against the looters How to manage a crisis The climate is mild, there are significant air pockets. The problem is dehydration but for the moment there is still a chance [of finding survivors] UN spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs US opens doors to Haiti orphans In pictures: Haiti misery endures Battle against the looters How to manage a crisis
However, UN humanitarian chief John Holmes played down worries over security, saying that despite incidents of violence, the overall situation was calm.However, UN humanitarian chief John Holmes played down worries over security, saying that despite incidents of violence, the overall situation was calm.
And the leading US general in Haiti, Lt Gen Ken Keen, said there was currently less violence in the capital Port-au-Prince - already a troubled city - than there had been before the earthquake.And the leading US general in Haiti, Lt Gen Ken Keen, said there was currently less violence in the capital Port-au-Prince - already a troubled city - than there had been before the earthquake.
Earlier, Gen Keen said up to 200,000 people might have died in the disaster, which he said was of "epic proportions".Earlier, Gen Keen said up to 200,000 people might have died in the disaster, which he said was of "epic proportions".
Aid workers are starting to expand their efforts to earthquake-affected areas outside the capital, including Leogane, Gressier, Petit-Goave and the coastal town of Jacmel.Aid workers are starting to expand their efforts to earthquake-affected areas outside the capital, including Leogane, Gressier, Petit-Goave and the coastal town of Jacmel.
'Getting there' 'Test of resolve'
The US Air Force C-17 dropped the relief supplies on Monday into a secured area five miles (8km) north-east of Port-au-Prince, US Army spokeswoman Maj Tanya Bradsher was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.The US Air Force C-17 dropped the relief supplies on Monday into a secured area five miles (8km) north-east of Port-au-Prince, US Army spokeswoman Maj Tanya Bradsher was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Haitians flock under US helicopter as it delivers aid supplies in Port-au-Prince Haitians flock under a US helicopter delivering aid supplies in Port-au-Prince
She said the aircraft had flown out of Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina.She said the aircraft had flown out of Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina.
Last week, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said airdrops had been ruled out because they might do more harm than good.Last week, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said airdrops had been ruled out because they might do more harm than good.
Mr Gates warned that they could trigger riots if there was no proper structure on the ground to distribute supplies Mr Gates warned that they could trigger riots if there was no proper structure on the ground to distribute supplies.
AT THE SCENE Adam Mynott, BBC News, Haiti
The director of the main port in Haiti says the bulk of the aid should be arriving by sea but the earthquake devastated the harbour.
It is an extraordinary sight - large sections of the main wharf have toppled into the sea. The whole length of the wharf is littered with 40ft steel containers leaning at angles.
The access road is rent with 6in gaps and the main crane has toppled forward, leaning at a drunken angle, half submerged in the water.
The director says it may take months, but they will get the port open again. However, it has become another symbol of an aid operation that has failed to deliver supplies quickly or to where they are needed.
Delivering aid to the centre of Port-au-Prince is getting much more difficult, as anger fuelled by hunger reaches boiling point, and military escorts are needed for lorries carrying supplies, the BBC's David Loyn reports from the city.Delivering aid to the centre of Port-au-Prince is getting much more difficult, as anger fuelled by hunger reaches boiling point, and military escorts are needed for lorries carrying supplies, the BBC's David Loyn reports from the city.
Bill Clinton: 'There's no question it's not enough, not quick enough' British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Tuesday that Haiti remained a major test for the international community.
Lt Cdr Walter Matthews of the US Navy told the BBC he understood the frustration among Haitians, but added that the aid effort was improving. "It is a test of our compassion. It is a test of our resolve. And it is also a test of our ability to co-ordinate our actions together."
Former US President Bill Clinton, who is a UN special envoy for Haiti, said co-operation between American and UN troops was improving the earthquake relief effort.Former US President Bill Clinton, who is a UN special envoy for Haiti, said co-operation between American and UN troops was improving the earthquake relief effort.
"The UN provides security and the Americans provide the logistics and distribution. They know how to do it. So we are getting there," Mr Clinton told the BBC during a visit to Port-au-Prince on Monday."The UN provides security and the Americans provide the logistics and distribution. They know how to do it. So we are getting there," Mr Clinton told the BBC during a visit to Port-au-Prince on Monday.
France's co-operation minister, Alain Joyandet, had suggested on Monday that the US was "occupying" Haiti and urged the UN to "clarify" the US role.France's co-operation minister, Alain Joyandet, had suggested on Monday that the US was "occupying" Haiti and urged the UN to "clarify" the US role.
However, a statement from President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday said France was "very satisfied" with the cooperation and praised the US for its "exceptional mobilisation".
Port problemsPort problems
Several agencies complained at the weekend about not being able to get aid through the heavily congested airport, which is being run by the US military.Several agencies complained at the weekend about not being able to get aid through the heavily congested airport, which is being run by the US military.
But Mr Holmes said that initial issues were being resolved, with the introduction through the UN World Food Programme - which is currently feeding 100,000 Haitians - of a system to prioritise humanitarian flights.But Mr Holmes said that initial issues were being resolved, with the introduction through the UN World Food Programme - which is currently feeding 100,000 Haitians - of a system to prioritise humanitarian flights.
There are also major problems at Port-au-Prince's main port, which was badly damaged by last week's earthquake.There are also major problems at Port-au-Prince's main port, which was badly damaged by last week's earthquake.
The BBC's Adam Mynott visited the port and says it has become another symbol of an aid operation that has failed to deliver supplies quickly or to where they are needed. The port's director told the BBC it could be months before it is fully operational, although one large shallow-draught US barge has been unloaded.
Large sections of the main wharf have toppled into the sea, and the main crane is half-submerged. The port's director says it could be months before it is fully operational, although one large shallow-draught US barge has been unloaded. On Monday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he would recommend that the Security Council boost UN troop numbers in Haiti by 2,000 for six months, and UN police numbers by 1,500.
The UN says dozens of search and rescue teams are now on the ground, with 1,700 people involved.The UN says dozens of search and rescue teams are now on the ground, with 1,700 people involved.
AID PLEDGES TO HAITI EU - $604m (420m euros; £371m)US - $100m pledged in immediate aid, with promise of more laterUK - $32mNorway - $17.6mFrance - $14.4mWorld Bank - $100m UK trebling Haiti funds to £20mAID PLEDGES TO HAITI EU - $604m (420m euros; £371m)US - $100m pledged in immediate aid, with promise of more laterUK - $32mNorway - $17.6mFrance - $14.4mWorld Bank - $100m UK trebling Haiti funds to £20m
On Tuesday, UN spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said 90 people had been pulled out alive since the earthquake and rescue efforts were now concentrated outside of the capital.On Tuesday, UN spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said 90 people had been pulled out alive since the earthquake and rescue efforts were now concentrated outside of the capital.
She insisted there was still hope for survivors. "The climate is mild, there are significant air pockets. The problem is dehydration but for the moment there is still a chance," she said.
At least 70,000 people who died in the earthquake have already been buried.At least 70,000 people who died in the earthquake have already been buried.
Meanwhile, Haitian President Rene Preval has asked donors also to focus on Haiti's long-term needs.Meanwhile, Haitian President Rene Preval has asked donors also to focus on Haiti's long-term needs.
"We cannot just cure the wounds of the earthquake. We must develop the economy, agriculture, education, health and reinforce democratic institutions," he said."We cannot just cure the wounds of the earthquake. We must develop the economy, agriculture, education, health and reinforce democratic institutions," he said.
On Monday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he would recommend that the Security Council boost UN troop numbers in Haiti by 2,000 for six months, and UN police numbers by 1,500. On Tuesday, the Paris Club of creditor governments, including the US, UK, France and Germany, called on other nations to follow its lead in cancelling debts to Haiti. Venezuela and Taiwan are the biggest other creditors.
The UN has launched an appeal for $562m (£346m) intended to help three million people for six months. Meanwhile, the bodies of eight Chinese nationals killed in the quake have arrived back in Beijing in a high-profile ceremony attended by relatives and top officials.
European Union nations have pledged more than 420m euros ($604m; £320m) from the EU budget to assist Haiti.
The British government has said it will treble its aid to Haiti to £20m ($32m).
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:
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