1 of 3 | Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince is seen from an aerial assessment mission by the American Red Cross on January 13, 2010. Officials fear that hundreds of thousands may have perished in the January 12 quake, but no casualty reports are confirmed. UPI/American Red Cross |
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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Tons of aid supplies are arriving in Haiti but workers are finding problems getting the goods to the people stricken by the earthquake that ravaged Port-au-Prince.
The 7-magnitude earthquake that hit Tuesday wrecked the Haitian capital's poor infrastructure, further limiting humanitarian efforts to reach victims. Estimates are that as many as 50,000 people died and tens of thousands of survivors are without food, water or medical help in Port-au-Prince.
A BBC reporter in Haiti wrote that "the extent of the devastation is almost impossible to calculate." He warned frustration and anger among those in need is beginning to grow as they await aid. Looting, including of the World Food Program's warehouse, is increasing.
Those trying to move aid to victims are often finding the limited roadways blocked with debris from the building collapsed by the earthquake.
Other workers were removing thousands of dead bodies that have been found while thousands of other victims remain buried in collapsed buildings.
The United Nations said about $270 million -- $100 million from the United States -- had been pledged for Haitian relief efforts.
