[CARE.org:] Here is the latest information from Haiti.
Tens of thousands of people are now living on the streets and in makeshift camps in open public spaces throughout Port-au-Prince. Many internally displaced persons are leaving Port-au-Prince, seeking shelter in other parts of the country. Due to such extensive movement, we have not been able to contact all missing employees or their families. We are working hard to locate them and will keep you updated. Many accounted-for staff are tending to families. Staffing for our work, and accommodation for staffing, remains very challenging.
There is a lack of clean water, and a lack of water in general, within the affected areas. People are gathering water outside of our Port-au-Prince office from a burst pipe. Water distribution is starting, including water trucking. Waste is becoming more of a risk where people are gathered.
Aircraft fuel is an urgent issue. Fuel for humanitarian operations will only last 2 to 3 more days before operations will be forced to cease. A fuel distribution mechanism is required urgently.
Communications are slowly improving. Internet connection has been re-established, but in-country and cell phone calls remain problematic.
Coordination meetings between NGOs and other responders are now occurring, which makes a considerable difference to the effectiveness of the response.
We have started distribution of water purification tablets to 12,000 people through three health centers, one of which is in the most affected area of Carrefour, and another which is in the public hospital Hopital la Paix. Yesterday, we distributed tablets to 5,000 people; logistical challenges prevented full distribution to the 12,000 people. Today, we are doing a water distribution in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, as well.
We are also working quickly to secure non-food items for distribution. We are obtaining 5,000 mattresses and 5,000 hygiene kits from a local supplier to be distributed in the next couple of days, as well as six generators.
A CARE Haiti team of ten highly experienced emergency food distribution staff are coming from Gonaives today. Staff are also deploying from outside Haiti. COO Steve Hollingworth and SVP Patrick Solomon have just reached the CARE office in Port-au-Prince.
As of yesterday evening, we have raised $6.3 million; this sum does not include funds raised from CARE International members. We continue to receive extensive media interest and coverage.
The Ministry of Interior in Haiti estimates that one million people have been severely affected by the earthquake and that 250,000 are in urgent need of assistance. Authorities believe 50,000 people have died; 13,000 bodies were been accounted for as of yesterday. The worst affected areas in Port-au-Prince are the towns of Petits Gouaves and Des Nippes, with nearly 1,000 registered deaths and more than 50,000 homeless.
