Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2010
United States Government Haiti Earthquake Disaster Response Update
On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck the nation of Haiti, causing catastrophic damage inside and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince. President Obama has promised the people of Haiti that "you will not be forsaken; you will not be forgotten." The United States Government has mobilized resources and manpower to aid in the relief effort. Below please find some key facts and examples of government actions to date.
All numbers below are accurate as of noon Sunday, January 17, 2010
AIRPORTS AND AIRSPACE
* The airfield is open for 24/7 operations and has a 100-aircraft
per day capacity, this is an increase from yesterday's 60 aircraft per day capacity.
* The airport has received more than 600 short tons of supplies.
* USAF air traffic control and airfield management personnel
continue to manage air operations at the airport with approval of the Government of Haiti.
* There are 30 military helicopters providing relief to the people
of Haiti.
* These helicopters are operating out of nine landing zones,
including five drop-off points.
SAFETY
* Approximately 5,800 military personnel on the ground or afloat.
* Approximately 7,500 additional military personnel are expected
to arrive by 1/18.
* More than 1,000 personnel from the 82nd Airborne Division
arrived in Haiti on 1/16.
HEALTH
* More than 250 HHS medical personnel have arrived in Haiti.
* 2 planeloads of medicine, medical equipment and supplies from
HHS have arrived in Haiti with a third expected to arrive today.
* 3,840 hygiene kits taken from USAID stockpiles in Miami have
arrived.
* The USNS Comfort is currently underway and expected to arrive on
1/20 with 600 medical personal on board.
EVACUATION AND RESCUES
* As of 0900 a total of 1,760 American citizens have been
airlifted out of Haiti.
* USAID/DART reported that a U.S. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
team had rescued an additional three individuals at the Caribbean Market.
* As of 0900, US USAR teams have rescued 26 individuals.
* There are currently six US USAR teams operating in Haiti along
with 21 international USAR teams from around the world. US teams are based out of Fairfax VA, Los Angeles CA, Miami FL (two teams), New York NY and Virginia Beach VA.
* Each USAR team includes approximately 70 team members.
FOOD AND WATER
* U.S. military aircraft have airlifted 130,000 humanitarian daily
rations and more than 70,000 bottles of water to Port-au-Prince.
* Three water purification units are operational and can supply
180,000 liters per day.
* USS Carl Vinson continues to provide potable water production.
* U.S. military aircraft will continue to support the delivery of
an additional 600,000 daily rations over the next several days.
* Six additional water purification units are scheduled to arrive
in the coming days from USAID stockpiles in Dubai. Each unit provides 1000,000 liters of safe drinking water serving 10,000 people per day.
* 12,000 water containers have arrived from Miami.
* Yesterday, the U.N. World Food Program distributed high-energy
biscuits to a total of 50,000 people.
* The World Food Program Port-au-Prince metropolitan areas
schools feeding program is no serving hot meals to 50,000 affected people
How to Help Support Relief Efforts
* Contribute online through ClintonBushHaitiFund.org.
* Text "QUAKE" to 20222 to charge a $10 donation to the Clinton
Bush Haiti Fund (the donation will be added to your cell phone bill).
* Find more ways to help through the Center for International
Disaster Information.
Get Information about Friends or Family
The State Department Operations Center has set up the following phone number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti:
1-888-407-4747 (due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording). You can also send an email to the State Department. Please be aware that communications within Haiti are very difficult at this time.
Prof Maurice Iwu
The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Maurice Iwu, was in London to update the Diaspora on issues that relate to INEC and electoral reforms
H.E TAFIDA - Nigeria High commissioner addressing the gathering
Dr Alistair soyode the Host and President of NIDOE Speaking at the Newly refurbished Visa Hall –Nigeria House ,the INEC Chairman started by saying that though Nigeria is blessed with intelligent Diaspora, its up to them to brand it to International levels and standards.
The head of PDP UK Chapter speaking at the question and answer session
The Chair of CANUK giving a presentation
Invited guest and other diplomats listening to Prof Maurice Iwu
Dr Alistair soyode -NIDOE President (host) taking notes at the event.Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Europe (NIDOE) is the European arm of a global Nigerian Diaspora network. Established in the year 2000 and registered in England and Wales in 2002 under the Companies Act, the organization’s Headquarters is in London.
Chief Ebere Nzewuji and master Uche John
Chief Uzo was also there
He also said that the Diaspora needed to take up the challenge, describing as unfair to Nigeria, the attitude of those who prefer to wait until all was well with the country. He noted with approval the positive role played by host NIDOE under the leadership of Dr. Alistair Soyode for having organised this meeting. He went on to say that the mandate of INEC and his visit is in three folds, firsts it includes deepening democracy in Nigeria, which is evident in the Electoral Act 2006 , secondly is to gather Public views of Nigerians wherever they are and third is the Issue of Diaspora vote.
Chief Ebere Nzewuji and master Uche John
Chief Uzo was also thereHe also said that the Diaspora needed to take up the challenge, describing as unfair to Nigeria, the attitude of those who prefer to wait until all was well with the country. He noted with approval the positive role played by host NIDOE under the leadership of Dr. Alistair Soyode for having organised this meeting. He went on to say that the mandate of INEC and his visit is in three folds, firsts it includes deepening democracy in Nigeria, which is evident in the Electoral Act 2006 , secondly is to gather Public views of Nigerians wherever they are and third is the Issue of Diaspora vote.
Mobile Art School in Kenya,
MASK, will be showing artwork by Kenyan children on a subject of HOPE at the invitation of The Kenyan Embassy in Paris from 19 January to 18 February 2010
Private view is on 19 January at 5-7pm in a presence of the Ambassador E. Odembo
The show will be open to public Mon-Fri, 4-7pm
The exhibition is organised in collaboration with The International Institute for Educational Planning of UNESCO
Adress: 3 rue Freycinet, 75116 PARIS Metro: Alma-Marceau (exit: President Wilson) http://www.mobileartschoolinkenya.org/
We are making the difference to the lives of children in Kenya and would really appreciate your support.
Please donate to MASK on www.justgiving.com/Mobile-Art-School-Kenya/
MASK, will be showing artwork by Kenyan children on a subject of HOPE at the invitation of The Kenyan Embassy in Paris from 19 January to 18 February 2010
Private view is on 19 January at 5-7pm in a presence of the Ambassador E. Odembo
The show will be open to public Mon-Fri, 4-7pm
The exhibition is organised in collaboration with The International Institute for Educational Planning of UNESCO
Adress: 3 rue Freycinet, 75116 PARIS Metro: Alma-Marceau (exit: President Wilson) http://www.mobileartschoolinkenya.org/
We are making the difference to the lives of children in Kenya and would really appreciate your support.
Please donate to MASK on www.justgiving.com/Mobile-Art-School-Kenya/
