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Haiti rescuers wind down search Haiti '84-year-old woman rescued'
(about 1 hour later)
Rescuers are winding down searches for survivors in the debris of Haiti's earthquake, and focusing on relief work, the United Nations says. An 84-year-old woman has been rescued after spending 10 days under rubble following the Haiti quake, reports say.
Spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs said some rescue teams were leaving, as hopes of finding more people alive under the rubble begin to fade. Doctors say the woman has multiple wounds and her condition is grave, but are doing all they can to save her.
One more survivor was found on Thursday, but doctors say the 84-year-old is unlikely to survive. The rescue came as the UN said rescuers were winding down searches for survivors and focusing on relief work.
Life is slowly returning to normal, with shops opening and buses running. Spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs said some rescue teams were leaving, as there was little hope of finding more people alive under the rubble.
Meanwhile people continue to leave the devastated capital Port-au-Prince. A benefit concert, featuring more than 100 music and Hollywood stars, is to be broadcast around the world from 2000 EST (0100 GMT) for victims of the earthquake.
Security fears
In Port-au-Prince, life is slowly returning to normal, with shops opening and buses running - although many residents are continuing to leave the devastated capital.
AT THE SCENE Christian Fraser, BBC News, Jacmel The aid operation is finally beginning to reach the more remote parts of Haiti. Until recent days, the town of Jacmel had been largely isolated, with roads impassable and the focus of the operation fixed mainly on Port-au-Prince.AT THE SCENE Christian Fraser, BBC News, Jacmel The aid operation is finally beginning to reach the more remote parts of Haiti. Until recent days, the town of Jacmel had been largely isolated, with roads impassable and the focus of the operation fixed mainly on Port-au-Prince.
In Jacmel, the football stadium is home to some 6,000 people. The field is a sea of plastic sheeting. One in three buildings in this old colonial town is in ruins; all will need to be demolished. At the hospital the injured are lying in the garden waiting for painkillers, doctors and some glimpse of salvation. But it is slow to come.In Jacmel, the football stadium is home to some 6,000 people. The field is a sea of plastic sheeting. One in three buildings in this old colonial town is in ruins; all will need to be demolished. At the hospital the injured are lying in the garden waiting for painkillers, doctors and some glimpse of salvation. But it is slow to come.
In the past few days, though, the joint task force has opened the airfield and is flying continuous shuttles from Port-au-Prince, relieving the pressure. But the needs here are great, as indeed they are across the rest of the country.In the past few days, though, the joint task force has opened the airfield and is flying continuous shuttles from Port-au-Prince, relieving the pressure. But the needs here are great, as indeed they are across the rest of the country.
On Thursday the government announced plans to send 400,000 people to tented cities in the countryside.On Thursday the government announced plans to send 400,000 people to tented cities in the countryside.
Construction for the temporary centres has already started, the Associated Press says, but it is unclear when they will be populated.Construction for the temporary centres has already started, the Associated Press says, but it is unclear when they will be populated.
The 84-year-old woman, rescued after 10 days in the rubble, is being treated by doctors at the main city hospital with intravenous fluids and drugs.
"I'm trying to find out how I can help her survive," Dr Ernest Benjamin told AFP news agency.
"It's worth everything to try to save her."
Her son told the agency he had heard her cries and, hours, later, he dug her out with the help of friends.
Some 122 people have been saved by international search and rescue teams, according to the US government.
At least 75,000 bodies have so far been buried in mass graves, Haiti's government has said. Many more remain uncollected in the streets.
An estimated 1.5 million people were left homeless by the 7.0-magnitude quake, which some have estimated has killed as many as 200,000 people.
Robbing and looting
Security fears remain in the capital, with local police chief Insp Aristide Rosemont appealing for help to tackle criminals who escaped when the earthquake wrecked the main jail.Security fears remain in the capital, with local police chief Insp Aristide Rosemont appealing for help to tackle criminals who escaped when the earthquake wrecked the main jail.
International efforts to get aid to Haitians continue
He told the BBC a large number of gangs had begun robbing and looting in the Cite Soleil slum area since the prison escape.He told the BBC a large number of gangs had begun robbing and looting in the Cite Soleil slum area since the prison escape.
But despite problems in Cite Soleil, UN officials say the capital is largely calm, with only sporadic violence.But despite problems in Cite Soleil, UN officials say the capital is largely calm, with only sporadic violence.
About 5,000 prisoners broke out of the capital's main jail after the walls collapsed, some of them hardened offenders belonging to violent criminal gangs.About 5,000 prisoners broke out of the capital's main jail after the walls collapsed, some of them hardened offenders belonging to violent criminal gangs.
Mass gravesMass graves
Ms Byrs, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told AFP news agency that some search and rescue teams were "exhausted" and starting to leave.Ms Byrs, spokeswoman for the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told AFP news agency that some search and rescue teams were "exhausted" and starting to leave.
International efforts to get aid to Haitians continue
Those that remain "are concentrating more and more on humanitarian aid for those who need it", she said.Those that remain "are concentrating more and more on humanitarian aid for those who need it", she said.
Some 122 people have been saved by international search and rescue teams, according to the US government. Haitians need to be there to help rebuild their country, this is not an opportunity for migration Janet NapolitanoUS homeland security secretary class="" href="/2/hi/entertainment/8475971.stm">Stars prepare for Haiti benefit class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8476185.stm">Fortitude in face of disaster class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8475712.stm">In pictures: Haiti relief effort class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8473941.stm">US Navy shows sensitive side class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8472670.stm">What is delaying aid?
An 84-year-old woman was rescued on Thursday after 10 days in the rubble.
Doctors are treating her at the main city hospital with intravenous fluids and drugs.
"There is very little hope, but we are trying to save her life," Dr Ernest Benjamin told the Associated Press.
At least 75,000 bodies have so far been buried in mass graves, Haiti's government has said. Many more remain uncollected in the streets.
An estimated 1.5 million people were left homeless by the 7.0-magnitude quake, which some have estimated has killed as many as 200,000 people.
Haitians need to be there to help rebuild their country, this is not an opportunity for migration Janet NapolitanoUS homeland security secretary Fortitude in face of disaster In pictures: Haiti relief effort US Navy shows sensitive side What is delaying aid?
The government has promised to build the tented cities around the capital to house 400,000 people, to try to halt the spread of disease in the makeshift settlements that have sprung up.The government has promised to build the tented cities around the capital to house 400,000 people, to try to halt the spread of disease in the makeshift settlements that have sprung up.
Aid officials say about 200,000 people have already left, many to stay with relatives in other parts of the country.Aid officials say about 200,000 people have already left, many to stay with relatives in other parts of the country.
Some have tried to flee abroad, but US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warned Haitians not to use the earthquake as an excuse to try to enter the US illegally.Some have tried to flee abroad, but US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warned Haitians not to use the earthquake as an excuse to try to enter the US illegally.
She said anyone caught trying to do so would be repatriated.She said anyone caught trying to do so would be repatriated.
"Haitians need to be there to help rebuild their country, this is not an opportunity for migration," she said."Haitians need to be there to help rebuild their country, this is not an opportunity for migration," she said.
Some small grocery shops, barbers' and pharmacies have reopened, and banks are set to follow over the weekend.Some small grocery shops, barbers' and pharmacies have reopened, and banks are set to follow over the weekend.
Reuters news agency reported that small private buses known as taptaps have started running again.Reuters news agency reported that small private buses known as taptaps have started running again.
Meanwhile, efforts to rebuild Haiti's main seaport - seen as vital to the international aid effort - are being stepped up.Meanwhile, efforts to rebuild Haiti's main seaport - seen as vital to the international aid effort - are being stepped up.
The US and the UN World Food Programme insist the distribution of food and water is well under way, but BBC correspondents in Port-au-Prince say many people have still seen no international aid at all.The US and the UN World Food Programme insist the distribution of food and water is well under way, but BBC correspondents in Port-au-Prince say many people have still seen no international aid at all.
At least 500,000 people are currently living outdoors in 447 improvised camps in Port-au-Prince, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), with limited shelter and access to water.At least 500,000 people are currently living outdoors in 447 improvised camps in Port-au-Prince, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), with limited shelter and access to water.
Western countries are hoping to boost donations for the aid effort with a multi-network telethon on Friday night and Saturday morning. Western countries are hoping to boost donations for the aid effort with a multi-network telethon.
Hope for Haiti Now, to be broadcast at 0100 GMT from New York, London, Los Angeles and Haiti, will feature Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce and other major artists. Hope for Haiti Now, to be broadcast from New York, London, Los Angeles and Haiti, will feature Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce and other major artists.
The concert will be shown on all major US TV channels, MTV in the UK and worldwide on YouTube from 0100 GMT.