Security Situation Deteriorates

Reports indicate that the security situation in Haiti is deteriorating as relief groups struggle to overcome logistical problems that are preventing the distribution of aid in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas. There are increasing reports of quake survivors, desperate for food and water, looting stores in the capital city; scuffles have also occurred between individuals fighting over food. Unconfirmed reports indicate that police officers have shot and killed several looters, while angry crowds seeking vigilante justice have reportedly killed other looters. In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Haitian government has implemented a nighttime curfew that begins daily at 1800 local time. The curfew does not apply to military personnel, police officers and civilians with a police or military escort. Amid the increasingly poor security environment in Port-au-Prince, search-and-rescue teams continue to conduct operations in the city. As of 17 January, more than 60 people had been rescued, including five people from the rubble of the Caribe Market grocery store following a 24-hour effort to reach them. Aid has also reportedly reached Leogane, which is close to where the initial quake was centered, destroying approximately 90 percent of the buildings in the area. The U.S. military remains in control of operations at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (MTPP/PAP). Although officials at the airport have stated that the facility is operating at maximum capacity 24-hours a day, bottlenecks continue to be reported due to congestion at the facility. The city's port also remains unusable due to extensive damage from the quake. At least 70,000 casualties have been reported thus far, but the final death toll is expected to be significantly higher. Meanwhile, international aid continues to trickle in to Haiti. The European Union (EU) held an emergency meeting on 18 January to discuss the streamlining of humanitarian aid and cleanup. The Canadian government also announced an international conference in Montreal on 25 January to coordinate relief efforts in the country. Former U.S. President and U.N. special envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton will meet with local officials on 18 January to discuss how to better organize and proceed with recovery operations, while up to 10,000 U.S. Army soldiers and Marines will arrive in the country by early this week to help with aid distribution and security operations. The USNS Comfort hospital ship is also due to arrive in Haiti by 21 January.