The US army is currently airdropping food supplies for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Around 14,000 packets of food and water have been dropped several kilometres outside the capital, Port-au-Prince. Over 2,000 US Marines have arrived in Haiti, joining the thousands of US troops already present. 

Former US president Bill Clinton, who has been appointed special envoy to Haiti, is adamant that international aid has not been slow to get off to a start. Mr Clinton pointed out the difficult circumstances that have to be dealt with, including the destruction of a substantial part of the Haiti's infrastructure. President Barack Obama says that, together with Canada and Brazil, the United States should take a leading role in the humanitarian operation.

Working together with aid organisations, the Haitian government has decided to set up a large-scale camp to help the many victims of the quake. The camp, which will be set up nearby Port-au-Prince, should give shelter to 100,000 people who have been made homeless and include medical aid stations and schools.

Photo: Bill Clinton carries emergency aid supplies into a hospital in Port-au-Prince (EPA)