Two days since a massive earthquake hit Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, tens of thousands of people are feared dead and many more are still trapped alive in rubble. Residents last night slept on the streets and in parks, fearing aftershocks.
As traumatised people walk Haiti’s destroyed streets, voices can be heard calling out from the rubble. A young man shouts to reporters: "Too many people are dying. We need international help ... no emergency, no food, no phone, no water, no nothing."
International aid
As yet, no organised rescue operations have reached Haiti, but international assistance is on its way. French Foreign Minister Bernard Koucher told French radio today that planes would assist with the first evacuations from the scene. US President Barack Obama has pledged support and announced that an aircraft carrier and three amphibious ships would be sent to assist. China and various European countries will also be sending rescue teams and equipment.
Paul McPhun, operations manager for the Canadian section of Doctors with Borders, said, "What we are seeing is severe traumas, head wounds, crushed limbs, severe problems that cannot be dealt with the level of medical care we currently have available."
At least 16 members of the United Nations peacekeeping mission have been killed and there are reports that mission chief Hedi Annabi is among them. The UN has not yet confirmed that report.
Based on a Reuters report
Beware of scammers!
If you wish to donate money to one of the charities working in Haiti, please be aware that there are criminals trying to exploit the situation. If you receive any emails purporting to come from a charity and referring to the Haiti earthquake, ignore it and on no account click on any links in the email. Genuine charities don't send out unsolicited emails. See here for an example of such an email. We advise you to donate to one of the charities linked at Charity Navigator for a safe, secure way of making your contribution.
Lead photo: A boy waits for medical attention in Port-au-Prince, Haiti - EPA/MATTHEW MAREK/AMERICAN RED CROSS
More photographs from eyewitness on Flickr. Warning: you may find some of the images shocking.
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Nobody could have predicted this disaster and it's something the world will not forget. Even after all these months from the disaster people are still struggling to recover, every day is a fight for them and the donations have become more rare. I am seriously considering to subscribe my car to a donate car program, this would be the least I can do for these people.
It's really terrible disaster and humanitarian tragedy in Haiti, Malk We hope from all over the world, especially the rich of them to provide all types of humanitarian and medical aid to the country as soon as possible
i hope help reaches soon, feel so sad for them..
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