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/8468367.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US troops dropped at Haiti palace US troops dropped at Haiti palace
(about 2 hours later)
US Navy helicopters have touched down in the grounds of Haiti's presidential palace, dropping off scores of troops, a week after the devastating quake.US Navy helicopters have touched down in the grounds of Haiti's presidential palace, dropping off scores of troops, a week after the devastating quake.
Reports suggested they were unloading water, food and equipment. Haitians camped out nearby told media they were happy to see more US forces to help. Reports suggested they were unloading water, food and equipment. Haitians camped out nearby said they were happy to see more US forces there to help.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has voted to boost its peacekeeping forces to help control outbursts of looting.Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has voted to boost its peacekeeping forces to help control outbursts of looting.
Anger has been growing in the streets of the capital as people wait for help.Anger has been growing in the streets of the capital as people wait for help.
The US military has begun airdropping food and water, after congestion at the airport delayed deliveries of aid. The US military has begun dropping food and water from the air to be distributed in the capital and elsewhere, after congestion at the airport delayed deliveries of aid.
Some 14,000 ready-to-eat meals and 15,000 litres of water were dropped north-east of the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday, 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, on Monday, the US said.
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 Sarkozy quells Haiti rift with USThe 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 Sarkozy quells Haiti rift with US
The US, which had previously considered aid drops too risky because of the danger of riots on the ground, is now considering airdrops across Haiti.The US, which had previously considered aid drops too risky because of the danger of riots on the ground, is now considering airdrops across Haiti.
More than 2,000 US Marines are set to join 1,000 US troops on the ground.More than 2,000 US Marines are set to join 1,000 US troops on the ground.
The UN approved a recommendation by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to boost UN troop numbers in Haiti by 2,000 for six months, and UN police numbers by 1,500. The UN approved a recommendation by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to boost UN troops in Haiti by 2,000 for six months, and UN police numbers by 1,500.
However, the leading US general in Haiti, Lt Gen Ken Keen, and UN humanitarian chief John Holmes played down worries over security, saying that despite violent incidents, the overall situation was calm. Mr Ban said he was grateful to the UN Security Council for its swift action, calling it "a clear signal that the world is with Haiti".
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. He said the UN was in discussion with member states, and he hoped to have the extra troops and police to deploy soon.
There have been reports of widespread violence and looting.
But the UN has played down worries over security, saying that despite violent incidents, the overall situation is calm.
US Army Maj Gen Daniel Allyn, deputy commander of the Joint Task Force on ongoing relief efforts, echoed that message, saying the security situation was "relatively calm" and that aid distribution points were orderly.
He said there were "pockets of instability", but that UN forces and the Haitian national police were addressing security requirements with "agility".
'Test of resolve''Test of resolve'
The arrival of more American forces comes amid widespread violence and looting.
Equipped with heavy-lifting and earth-moving equipment, a dozen helicopters and medical support facilities, they were waiting off shore after arriving by ship on Monday.
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.
Aid supplies are dropped by the US
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.
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, HaitiAT 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.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.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 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.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.
The BBC's Nick Davies in Port-au-Prince says that with the delays in getting aid out from the airport, the US military are now securing the areas before the pallets of food and water are parachuted in. 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.
Mr Gates warned that they could trigger riots if there was no proper structure on the ground to distribute supplies.
The BBC's Nick Davies in Port-au-Prince says that with the delays in getting aid out from the airport, the US military is now securing the areas before the pallets of food and water are parachuted in.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Tuesday that Haiti remained a major test for the international community.British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Tuesday that Haiti remained a major test for the international community.
"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.""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."
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 co-operation and praised the US for its "exceptional mobilisation".However, a statement from President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday said France was "very satisfied" with the co-operation 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 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 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 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.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.
The UN says dozens of search and rescue teams are now on the ground.The UN says dozens of search and rescue teams are now on the ground.
AID PLEDGES TO HAITI EU - $604m (420m euros; £371m)US - $100m pledged in immediate aid, with promise of more laterCanada - $58mUK - $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 laterCanada - $58mUK - $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.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.
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.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.
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.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.
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