Cablegate: Tfha01: Haiti Earthquake Task Force Situation Report

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 012309

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC KFLO MARR PREL PINR AMGT HA
SUBJECT: TFHA01: HAITI EARTHQUAKE TASK FORCE SITUATION REPORT
NO. 63

STATE 00012309 001.2 OF 002

EVACUATIONS/AMERICAN CITIZEN ISSUES
-----------------------------------

1. (SBU) Seventeen American evacuees and family members
departed Port-au-Prince since February 7 at 2000 EST; a total
of 15,723 have been evacuated to date. A total of 23,000
potential evacuees have been accounted for. There are 40
American evacuees at the airport. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince
e-mail)

2. (SBU) As of 1200 EST February 8, there are 77 confirmed
American citizen fatalities. The number of other reported
American citizen deaths has been revised down to 28.
(TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince e-mail)

HUMANITARIAN UPDATE
-------------------

3. (SBU) Embassy Port-au-Prince reports 15 of 16 food
distribution sites opened February 8. Each site plans to
increase its beneficiary numbers to make up for the suspension
of distribution at two sites located on church property on
February 7. The number of people arriving at the distribution
sites without coupons is decreasing. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-
Prince interagency call)

4. (SBU) As of February 9, Sanford/Orlando airport will stop
receiving evacuation flights and Charleston and Miami airports
will remain active. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince interagency
call)

5. As of February 7, nearly 7.5 million pounds of food have
been delivered. As of February 8, all 18 WFP food
distribution sites will be open. (TF1/SOUTHCOM sitrep,
SOUTHCOM Intsum)

MEDICAL RESPONSE
----------------

6. (SBU) The USNS Comfort reports the outflow of medical
patients is higher than the inflow, with a current backlog of
only 37 surgical patients. (TF1/Embassy Port-au-Prince
interagency)

7. (SBU) Health officials are concerned by the increasing
number of Haitians who may require post-quake psychiatric
assistance. (TFI/DHS NOC e-mail)

SECURITY/INFRASTRUCTURE
-----------------------

8. Hundreds protested on February 7 in Petionville claiming
the district mayor is hoarding aid, and that food distribution
has been slow and chaotic, according to press. (Reuters)

9. Twenty-five radio stations were broadcasting in Port-au-
Prince as of February 7. (SOUTHCOM sitrep)

OTHER MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
------------------------

10. On February 7, President Preval called on Haitians to show
discipline, solidarity, and patience. (Radio Metropole
website)

11. (SBU) The Bahamian government requested U.S. assistance
in repatriating 62 Haitian migrants currently aboard two Royal
Bahamian Defense Force Vessels. The U.S. Coast Guard will
proceed to pick up the migrants and plans to arrive within 24-
36 hours. (MOTR conference call)

12. (SBU) SOUTHCOM released a press statement this evening
announcing the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be released
at 0001 Zulu on February 9. (SOUTHCOM Press Release)

13 (U) Additional updates are available through our
Intellipedia portal on the unclassified system at:
http://www.intelink.gov/wiki/Portal:Crisis_Ha iti_Earthquake.

14. (U) Minimize considered.
CLINTON

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