Port-au-Prince.– As aid groups and world governments tried to fly planeloads
of aid into the limited Haitian airfield, the US personnel took over air traffic control at Port-au-Prince’s
airport yesterday.
"I think we have taken over, you know, air traffic control
responsibility. We've got a lot of personnel who are assisting in the process of
on-loading and off-loading," said US State Department spokesperson Philip
Crowley.
"The good news is it’s now operating at a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week
capability. But the bad news is it is a very limited airport, with
one runway and limited ramp space," he added.
The airport became a staging ground for an enormous international
relief effort to the stricken nation, which is struggling to cope with
a massive 7.0 earthquake that flattened much of the capital and may have killed
up to 100,000 people.
The first wave of aid flights quickly overwhelmed the single runway
at Toussaint L’Ouverture airport, with military and civilian aid flights forced
to circle for hours awaiting a landing spot.
Military transport from the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Canada,
France, Peru and the US jostled for space on the tarmac as helicopters from
several air forces buzzed overhead.
Written by: juanb, 15 Jan 2010 9:06 AM
From: Dominican Republic
We are really stepping up to the plate at a time of need.
How relieved are LF, Vincho, the crooked cops, generals, JCE members, et. al, that this horrible tragedy has pushed these criminals off the front pages and taken the spotlight off them?
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 9:08 AM
From: United States, NYC
Yesterday some posters were dismissive of President Préval's trip to the DR in wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The news story below may have something to do with that visit.
Obama llamó anoche a Leonel Fernández para conversar sobre la situación haitiana
Los presidentes de la República Dominicana, Leonel Fernández, y de los Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, en un encuentro internacional.
1:23 AM Santo Domingo.- El presidente de Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, se comunicó anoche con el presidente Leonel Fernández para expresarle su preocupación por la situación haitiana y decirle que estaba de acuerdo con la propuesta hecha en Haití a René Préval de elaborar un plan a largo y mediano plazo para la recuperación del vecino país. La información la ofreció a LISTÍN DIARIO, el director de Información, Prensa y Publicidad de la Presidencia, Rafael Núñez.
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 9:10 AM
From: United States, NYC
SOLIDARIDAD EN LA ISLA
Preval: "Leonel tocó puerta de mi despacho"
1:12 AM Puerto Príncipe.- El presidente haitiano René Preval agradeció la presencia, la solidaridad y el apoyo recibido por parte del presidente de la República Dominicana, doctor Leonel Fernández, y expresó que quedó gratamente sorprendido cuando le tocaron la puerta de su despacho para decirle que el mandatario dominicano le buscaba.
Written by: generoso, 15 Jan 2010 9:50 AM
From: United States, Quisqueya
Preval's dysfunctional and corrupt government and police was nowhere to be seen. Best thing to do is just get out of the way of people that can get the job done.
That is why the US took over the chaotic control tower, after wasting another 24 hours waiting for the missing bureaucrats, to show their face.
The inept Preval government is history and they should just stay out of the way, and not make any attempts at showcasing or toll gating.
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 10:20 AM
From: United States, NYC
I mean no disrespect in arguing the point. And perhaps so generoso, but his trip to DR was probably, taking everything into consideration, not an illogical step on his part. It may have been where he established the elementary basis to tackle, or have others do so, the incredible assistance needed for Haiti.
Written by: Rainman, 15 Jan 2010 10:45 AM
From: United States
Once again the United States takes charge of the operations in a country in desperate need of help. Where are those that constantly critisize the US ....
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 10:47 AM
From: United States, NYC
Written by: Rainman, 15 Jan 2010 10:45 AM
From: United States
"Once again the United States takes charge of the operations in a country in desperate need of help. Where are those that constantly criticize the US ...."
Good question.
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
Just to give credit where credit is due ,,Bill Clinton has spoken magnificently so far and has praised Venezuela ,Cuba and Russia ,,in a very non political way and has set up his fund for Haiti ..He really is very good statesman.
Written by: generoso, 15 Jan 2010 10:57 AM
From: United States, Quisqueya
Atabey
Do not try to get into the head of a corrupt, inept and discredited politician like Preval. Give up the whining, and trying to make amends for a certifiable public blunder and poor global spectacle of a weak, and poor leader like Preval, that could NOT step up to the plate and was mocked and ridiculed, by CNN's Dr. Gupta. His public whining and complaining like a woman in the TV interview at the airport, was regrettable and showed his incompetency.
More so the thousands of Haitian police and civil servants also became invisible and were nowhere to be seen, these last few days, except a few and the majority have yet to show signs of their existence.
Written by: xwill7, 15 Jan 2010 11:10 AM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
generoso,
they just wanted someone else to fix their problem... No one from Haiti stepped up to the plate... All must be fired and start all over
Atabey,
do you work for the Haitian gov?
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 12:18 PM
From: United States, NYC
Atabey,
do you work for the Haitian gov?
Caballero,
I make an argument that perhaps it was not so crazy of the President of Haiti to jump-start the massive relief efforts from the neighboring nation-state of the Dominican Republic, and now I'm working for the Haitian government?? Qué Pasa Hombre? We are entitled to our opinion, no?
Written by: xwill7, 15 Jan 2010 12:24 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
FYI,
the Haitian president did not start the massive relief efforts... It was the US
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 12:56 PM
From: United States, NYC
Of course Haiti's president has no real means to address the massive relief needs, but coordination is part of the "jump-start," too. Caballero, later on we can agree or disagree on this issue. For now, it's a mute point.
Written by: xwill7, 15 Jan 2010 1:02 PM
From: United States, El cuarto bate
They even reported that the people of Haiti expect nothing from their gov... They are looking to the US and UN for help. If this would have happened in DR, the Dominican people would have been outraged at the no action from their gov
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 1:24 PM
From: United States, NYC
Earthquake in Haiti: Desperate for aid, victims' anguish turns to rage, sparks looting
BY BRIAN KATES
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Fri, Jan15th 2010, 10:48 AM
As aid begins to pour in to Haiti, experts are stressing the importance of coordination between a weak central government, a constellation of non-governmental groups and international governments.
As aid continued to pour into the devastated island nation, Cuba granted the U.S. government permission to fly through restricted air space on medical evacuation flights.
For the people of Haiti shock was giving way to despair and rage Friday as decaying bodies choked the streets of Port-au-Prince and aid workers struggled to distribute dwindling food, water and medical supplies.
As aid continued to pour into the devastated island nation, Cuba granted the U.S. permission to fly through restricted air space on medical evacuation flights.
Read more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/01/15/2010-01-15_earthquakFrom: Dominican Republic, Cabarete
My message is in this link
http://www.everythinghaitian.com/....gDetail.aspx?BID=183&PID=2146 to the American government. I am OIF/OEF veteran soldier among other deployment who is still in the United States Army Reserves. I have given my service to the United States and now my home country is in terrible distress I am watching how time is being wasted on demagogueries by not even providing them with basic food and water so they can endure and shelter the storm.
From: Dominican Republic, La Romana
If Obama wins the next election, don't count on any more help on this level from the U.S.
Our navy will be mothballed and our airforce grounded. Sorry to say.
Written by: clinker, 15 Jan 2010 3:54 PM
From: Dominican Republic
america is not perfect and makes mistakes but is a very caring nation of people who are always ready to give. half of them can be boneheads. I am more pissed than anyone about bush and iraq debacle. but know that they already pleged $100,000,000 USD to haiti, and jon and mary doe from main street usa are texting donations as we speak
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 3:59 PM
From: United States, NYC
UN Working to Unblock Aid Deliveries as Haiti Waits and Suffers
By Peter S. Green and William Varner
Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- International relief groups are scrambling to unclog the flow of water, food and medicine to Haitians trapped in their stricken capital as aid workers report conditions in Port-au-Prince are deteriorating rapidly.
The United Nations set up an operations center at the Toussaint l’Ouverture International Airport to coordinate the work of the 27 foreign rescue teams that have arrived so far, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said today. The airport was closed to civilian flights for as long as eight hours yesterday as it ran out of fuel and space to unload planes.
Haiti’s Red Cross said as many as 50,000 died in the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, and a third of the city’s buildings are destroyed, according the United Nations. Rubble and people in the roads are blocking transport, and hospitals, schools and government office
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 4:00 PM
From: United States, NYC
Rubble and people in the roads are blocking transport, and hospitals, schools and government offices have collapsed, leaving relief groups without infrastructure to distribute aid.
“There’s a feeling of apocalypse in the streets,” Andre Davila, a coordinator with Brazilian aid group Viva Rio, said in an e-mail from Port-au-Prince. “The state doesn’t exist anymore. There is some international aid arriving, but not very much.”
Government workers are collecting and burying some bodies in mass graves, Stefano Zannini, the head of Doctor’s Without Borders’ mission in Haiti, told reporters by telephone today from Port-au-Prince. He said his 800-member team was performing hundreds of surgeries a day, and said that they had found enough stable buildings in which to operate.
Unburied Bodies
Television broadcasts show unburied bodies lining the streets of the capital and limbs visible in the wreckage of collapsed buildings.
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 4:01 PM
From: United States, NYC
With water and sewage lines destroyed, the United Nations Children’s Fund, Unicef, said it was concerned cholera could break out.
“This is the worst emergency we’ve ever seen,” said Caryl Stern, executive director of the U.S. Fund for Unicef. Her group is focusing on helping children orphaned or separated from their parents.
“We round up the children, provide for their medical care and their basic critical comfort from a blanket to a hug, until we can reunite them with their family,” she said.
UN Secretary-General Ban said his organization has taken the lead in coordinating the international relief efforts.
‘Beyond Imagination’
“The situation has been quite dramatic, beyond control and beyond imagination,” Ban said “With leadership established and a management team established we will have more coordination.”
Other than some scavenging and “minor” looting, the security situation seems “pretty good,” U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters at the Pentagon. Foo
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 4:02 PM
From: United States, NYC
a
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 4:02 PM
From: United States, NYC
Food drops weren’t used because of the risk of causing riots as people raced for provisions, Gates said.
“The key is to get the food and the water in there as quickly as possible so that people don’t in their desperation, turn to violence,” Gates said.
Some aid flights are being diverted to the neighboring Dominican Republic, although roads from there have been damaged, said Harry Edwards, a spokesman for the U.S. Agency for International Development. The U.S. Coast Guard said cargo docks in Port-au-Prince were unusable.
Water, Medicine
“There is a substantial shortage of water, food, medical supplies and shelter in the country,” former U.S. President Bill Clinton said on CNBC television this morning. “There’s still a lot of these medical clinics that don’t even have aspirin and other basic medical supplies.”
Ban asked for $550 million to provide food, water, shelter and medical care for earthquake victims, and said he would go to Haiti “very soon.”
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 4:05 PM
From: United States, NYC
Congress is moving swiftly in responding to the devastation in Haiti, with lawmakers introducing a bipartisan bill that would give greater tax breaks to Americans looking to donate money for relief efforts.
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) is working with Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and that panel’s top Republican, Dave Camp of Michigan, to introduce the legislation either later today or first thing Tuesday morning when Congress returns to session.
"We want to pass legislation — hopefully very soon — Congress will do other things to respond to this. We want this to be a package and this to be a part of this package so that people who do respond can deduct their contributions on their 2009 taxes," Clyburn said.
Read more:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31547.html#ixzz0ciE5VyJNWritten by: danny00, 15 Jan 2010 5:19 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
GENEROSO SAID......
generoso, 15 Jan 2010 9:50 AM
From: United States, Santo Domingo
Preval's dysfunctional and corrupt government and police was nowhere to be seen. Best thing to do is just get out of the way of people that can get the job done.
That is why the US took over the chaotic control tower, after wasting another 24 hours waiting for the missing bureaucrats, to show their face.
The inept Preval government is history and they should just stay out of the way, and not make any attempts at showcasing or toll gating, GUESS YOUR ONE "EXPERT ON CORRUPT GOVERNMENTS ?.......u know it all dont u?, SIDE LINE QUARTERBACK
Written by: danny00, 15 Jan 2010 5:22 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
even the library in key west fl. is talking collection for haiti.
From: United States, words of wisdom from the nutcracker
I think haiti only alternatived is to become a us commonwealth , especially now this tragedy has really hit hard and will take billions upon billions of dolars to fix this whole mess this earthquake has caused. haiti government has proven that they are a worthless bunch and have no backbone or leadeship to run a country.
Written by: danny00, 15 Jan 2010 7:06 PM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
xwill said.... they just wanted someone else to fix their problem,
MAN THATS SOME PROBLEM TO FIX. DONT U THINK SO?...
I WONDER WHERE U WOULD START?...
NICE THE INTERNET, NICE THING ANY ONE CAN SAY WHAT EVER....
HAVE A NICE DAY AND I HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS IN THE DR.
Written by: Atabey, 15 Jan 2010 7:54 PM
From: United States, NYC
Subject: Another thing you can do to help in Haiti
Hi,
Haiti has been devastated by a massive earthquake. Americans are opening their hearts and their wallets to help. But credit card companies see this as an opportunity to turn a profit.
They take a cut every time Americans use their credit card to make a charitable contribution. Isn't that outrageous?
I just signed a petition to the CEOs of all the big credit card companies telling them they need to refund this fee for all the donations to aid organizations working in Haiti and get rid of the fee for all charitable contributions going forward. Will you join me?
http://pol.moveon.org/nofees/?r_b....8275-sp2tl1x&rc=comment_pasteWritten by: generoso, 15 Jan 2010 9:13 PM
From: United States, Quisqueya
dannyOOplus0
Now I know what the 00 after you name stands for, maybe you should add one more 0 and make it danny000, and BTW what is your contribution to this disaster other than grandstanding and self righteousness?
Written by: Atabey, 16 Jan 2010 1:25 AM
From: United States, NYC
zero.
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How relieved are LF, Vincho, the crooked cops, generals, JCE members, et. al, that this horrible tragedy has pushed these criminals off the front pages and taken the spotlight off them?
Obama llamó anoche a Leonel Fernández para conversar sobre la situación haitiana
Los presidentes de la República Dominicana, Leonel Fernández, y de los Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, en un encuentro internacional.
1:23 AM Santo Domingo.- El presidente de Estados Unidos, Barack Obama, se comunicó anoche con el presidente Leonel Fernández para expresarle su preocupación por la situación haitiana y decirle que estaba de acuerdo con la propuesta hecha en Haití a René Préval de elaborar un plan a largo y mediano plazo para la recuperación del vecino país. La información la ofreció a LISTÍN DIARIO, el director de Información, Prensa y Publicidad de la Presidencia, Rafael Núñez.
Preval: "Leonel tocó puerta de mi despacho"
1:12 AM Puerto Príncipe.- El presidente haitiano René Preval agradeció la presencia, la solidaridad y el apoyo recibido por parte del presidente de la República Dominicana, doctor Leonel Fernández, y expresó que quedó gratamente sorprendido cuando le tocaron la puerta de su despacho para decirle que el mandatario dominicano le buscaba.
That is why the US took over the chaotic control tower, after wasting another 24 hours waiting for the missing bureaucrats, to show their face.
The inept Preval government is history and they should just stay out of the way, and not make any attempts at showcasing or toll gating.
From: United States
"Once again the United States takes charge of the operations in a country in desperate need of help. Where are those that constantly criticize the US ...."
Good question.
Do not try to get into the head of a corrupt, inept and discredited politician like Preval. Give up the whining, and trying to make amends for a certifiable public blunder and poor global spectacle of a weak, and poor leader like Preval, that could NOT step up to the plate and was mocked and ridiculed, by CNN's Dr. Gupta. His public whining and complaining like a woman in the TV interview at the airport, was regrettable and showed his incompetency.
More so the thousands of Haitian police and civil servants also became invisible and were nowhere to be seen, these last few days, except a few and the majority have yet to show signs of their existence.
they just wanted someone else to fix their problem... No one from Haiti stepped up to the plate... All must be fired and start all over
Atabey,
do you work for the Haitian gov?
do you work for the Haitian gov?
Caballero,
I make an argument that perhaps it was not so crazy of the President of Haiti to jump-start the massive relief efforts from the neighboring nation-state of the Dominican Republic, and now I'm working for the Haitian government?? Qué Pasa Hombre? We are entitled to our opinion, no?
the Haitian president did not start the massive relief efforts... It was the US
BY BRIAN KATES
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Fri, Jan15th 2010, 10:48 AM
As aid begins to pour in to Haiti, experts are stressing the importance of coordination between a weak central government, a constellation of non-governmental groups and international governments.
As aid continued to pour into the devastated island nation, Cuba granted the U.S. government permission to fly through restricted air space on medical evacuation flights.
For the people of Haiti shock was giving way to despair and rage Friday as decaying bodies choked the streets of Port-au-Prince and aid workers struggled to distribute dwindling food, water and medical supplies.
As aid continued to pour into the devastated island nation, Cuba granted the U.S. permission to fly through restricted air space on medical evacuation flights.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/01/15/2010-01-15_earthquak
My message is in this link http://www.everythinghaitian.com/....gDetail.aspx?BID=183&PID=2146 to the American government. I am OIF/OEF veteran soldier among other deployment who is still in the United States Army Reserves. I have given my service to the United States and now my home country is in terrible distress I am watching how time is being wasted on demagogueries by not even providing them with basic food and water so they can endure and shelter the storm.
Our navy will be mothballed and our airforce grounded. Sorry to say.
By Peter S. Green and William Varner
Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- International relief groups are scrambling to unclog the flow of water, food and medicine to Haitians trapped in their stricken capital as aid workers report conditions in Port-au-Prince are deteriorating rapidly.
The United Nations set up an operations center at the Toussaint l’Ouverture International Airport to coordinate the work of the 27 foreign rescue teams that have arrived so far, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said today. The airport was closed to civilian flights for as long as eight hours yesterday as it ran out of fuel and space to unload planes.
Haiti’s Red Cross said as many as 50,000 died in the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, and a third of the city’s buildings are destroyed, according the United Nations. Rubble and people in the roads are blocking transport, and hospitals, schools and government office
“There’s a feeling of apocalypse in the streets,” Andre Davila, a coordinator with Brazilian aid group Viva Rio, said in an e-mail from Port-au-Prince. “The state doesn’t exist anymore. There is some international aid arriving, but not very much.”
Government workers are collecting and burying some bodies in mass graves, Stefano Zannini, the head of Doctor’s Without Borders’ mission in Haiti, told reporters by telephone today from Port-au-Prince. He said his 800-member team was performing hundreds of surgeries a day, and said that they had found enough stable buildings in which to operate.
Unburied Bodies
Television broadcasts show unburied bodies lining the streets of the capital and limbs visible in the wreckage of collapsed buildings.
“This is the worst emergency we’ve ever seen,” said Caryl Stern, executive director of the U.S. Fund for Unicef. Her group is focusing on helping children orphaned or separated from their parents.
“We round up the children, provide for their medical care and their basic critical comfort from a blanket to a hug, until we can reunite them with their family,” she said.
UN Secretary-General Ban said his organization has taken the lead in coordinating the international relief efforts.
‘Beyond Imagination’
“The situation has been quite dramatic, beyond control and beyond imagination,” Ban said “With leadership established and a management team established we will have more coordination.”
Other than some scavenging and “minor” looting, the security situation seems “pretty good,” U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters at the Pentagon. Foo
“The key is to get the food and the water in there as quickly as possible so that people don’t in their desperation, turn to violence,” Gates said.
Some aid flights are being diverted to the neighboring Dominican Republic, although roads from there have been damaged, said Harry Edwards, a spokesman for the U.S. Agency for International Development. The U.S. Coast Guard said cargo docks in Port-au-Prince were unusable.
Water, Medicine
“There is a substantial shortage of water, food, medical supplies and shelter in the country,” former U.S. President Bill Clinton said on CNBC television this morning. “There’s still a lot of these medical clinics that don’t even have aspirin and other basic medical supplies.”
Ban asked for $550 million to provide food, water, shelter and medical care for earthquake victims, and said he would go to Haiti “very soon.”
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) is working with Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and that panel’s top Republican, Dave Camp of Michigan, to introduce the legislation either later today or first thing Tuesday morning when Congress returns to session.
"We want to pass legislation — hopefully very soon — Congress will do other things to respond to this. We want this to be a package and this to be a part of this package so that people who do respond can deduct their contributions on their 2009 taxes," Clyburn said.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31547.html#ixzz0ciE5VyJN
generoso, 15 Jan 2010 9:50 AM
From: United States, Santo Domingo
Preval's dysfunctional and corrupt government and police was nowhere to be seen. Best thing to do is just get out of the way of people that can get the job done.
That is why the US took over the chaotic control tower, after wasting another 24 hours waiting for the missing bureaucrats, to show their face.
The inept Preval government is history and they should just stay out of the way, and not make any attempts at showcasing or toll gating, GUESS YOUR ONE "EXPERT ON CORRUPT GOVERNMENTS ?.......u know it all dont u?, SIDE LINE QUARTERBACK
MAN THATS SOME PROBLEM TO FIX. DONT U THINK SO?...
I WONDER WHERE U WOULD START?...
NICE THE INTERNET, NICE THING ANY ONE CAN SAY WHAT EVER....
HAVE A NICE DAY AND I HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS IN THE DR.
Hi,
Haiti has been devastated by a massive earthquake. Americans are opening their hearts and their wallets to help. But credit card companies see this as an opportunity to turn a profit.
They take a cut every time Americans use their credit card to make a charitable contribution. Isn't that outrageous?
I just signed a petition to the CEOs of all the big credit card companies telling them they need to refund this fee for all the donations to aid organizations working in Haiti and get rid of the fee for all charitable contributions going forward. Will you join me?
http://pol.moveon.org/nofees/?r_b....8275-sp2tl1x&rc=comment_paste
Now I know what the 00 after you name stands for, maybe you should add one more 0 and make it danny000, and BTW what is your contribution to this disaster other than grandstanding and self righteousness?