Thousands feared dead in Haiti after devastating earthquake

Haitian President Rene Preval said today that thousands may have been killed after a 7.0 earthquake struck the island nation late yesterday afternoon, about 10 miles west of the capitol, Port Au Prince. Preval was quoted in the Miami Herald describing the damage as "unimaginable." Images coming from Haiti showed collapsed buildings, including many of the area's hospitals, schools and relief stations. Some residents slept in the streets last night and awoke to a devastated landscape.

Now, the focus is on relief and rescue. Raymond Joseph is the Haitian ambassador to Washington. He said medical supplies and facilities are greatly needed.

“Hospitals shape are a must for us now, because some of our hospitals have been affected, collapsed also, so we need that kind of support.”

In addition to medical facilities, buildings across the capitol were severely damaged, including the National Palace and National Assembly. The United Nations headquarters collapsed and many were trapped inside. Alain Le Roy is Head of Peacekeeping Operations.

"So far, there are still over 100 people unaccounted for and under the rubble. We don't know about their fate. Some people have been extracted out of the building but only less than ten for the time being. Some dead, some alive, so we don't know for the time being the fate of the other but of course we are extremely concerned.”

The UN'S Development Program building also collapsed with employees inside. The head of the agency says 38 UNDP employees are missing. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon appealed to the international community for help.

"It is now clear that the earthquake has had devastating impact on the capital, Port au Prince.  The remaining areas of Haiti appear to be largely unaffected.  Buildings and infrastructure were heavily damaged throughout the capital.  Basic services such as water, electricity have collapsed almost entirely.  We are yet to establish the number of deaths or injured which we feel may well be in the hundreds."

Telephone and Internet are widely down across the island nation - although some people have connected with friends and family members, including Marleine Bastien, Executive Director of Haitian Women of Miami.

“I spoke with several people who have been in touch with their family members in Haiti, and then also my father who spoke to a friend in Haiti, that the situation is grave.”
In the U-S, the new head of USAID Rajiv Shah coordinated overnight rescue and relief efforts. This morning, President Obama spoke from the White House on the emergency measures.

"We've mobilized resources to help rescue efforts. Military overflights have assessed the damage and by early afternoon our civilian disaster assistance team are beginning to arrive. Search and rescue teams from Florida, Virginia and California will arrive throughout today and tomorrow, and more rescue and medical equipment and emergency personnel are being prepared. Because in disasters such as this the first hours and days are absolutely critical to saving lives and avoiding even greater tragedy, I have directed my teams to be as forward-leaning as possible in getting the help on the ground and coordinating with our international partners, as well."

The US State Department is working to account for the more than 40,000 Americans living and working in Haiti. Americans trying to locate family members can call the State Department at 888-407-4747. The WhiteHouse.gov website also has information on how to help support the relief efforts.