2010 Haiti earthquake

==Rescue and relief efforts==
{{For timeline|Timeline of relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake}}

Rescue efforts began in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, with able-bodied survivors extricating the living and the dead from the rubble of the many buildings that had collapsed.<ref>Marrapodi, Eric, Lawrence, Chris, Hall, Rick, Phillips, Rich, Watson, Ivan and Candiotti, Susan [http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/14/haiti.earthquake/index.html Haitians dig themselves out as quake damage slows outside aid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117013310/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/14/haiti.earthquake/index.html |date=17 January 2010 }}, CNN, 15 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.</ref> Treatment of the injured was hampered by the lack of hospital and morgue facilities: the [[Argentine Air Force Mobile Field Hospital|Argentine military field hospital]], which had been serving [[MINUSTAH]], was the only one available until 13 January.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,26587037-5003402,00.html?from=public_rss |title=Only one hospital open in Haiti's quake hit capital |work=Courier Mail |date=13 January 2010 |access-date=26 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201092351/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0%2C20797%2C26587037-5003402%2C00.html?from=public_rss |archive-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Rescue work intensified only slightly with the arrival of doctors, police officers, military personnel and firefighters from various countries two days after the earthquake.<ref name=IEXPRESS>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/haiti-devastated/567556 Haiti Devastated] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118071529/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/haiti-devastated/567556 |date=18 January 2010 }}, ''The Indian Express'', 15 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.</ref>

[[File:USN MH-53E lands supplies at Port-au-Prince 2010-01-16.jpg|thumb|left|MINUSTAH troops meet a U.S. relief flight on 16 January.]]

From 12 January, the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]], which has been working in Haiti since 1994, focused on bringing emergency assistance to victims of the catastrophe. It worked with its partners within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, particularly the Haitian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.<ref>[http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/haiti The ICRC in Haiti] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324110603/http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/haiti |date=24 March 2010 }} International Committee of the Red Cross.</ref><ref name='icrcwebsite0120' /> The American Red Cross also spearheaded a mobile donation initiative with Mobile Accord to raise over $2 million within the first 24 hours after the earthquake.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/business/01text.html |title=Nonprofits Rush to Solicit Donations via Text, but the System Is Flawed |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=31 October 2010 |last=Strom |first=Stephanie |url-status=live |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422161511/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/01/business/01text.html }}</ref>

[[Médecins Sans Frontières]] (Doctors Without Borders; MSF) reported that the hospitals that had not been destroyed were overwhelmed by large numbers of seriously injured people. The hospitals had to perform many amputations.<ref>AFP [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/medics-report-mass-amputations-in-haiti/story-e6frf7jx-1225820638646 Medics report mass amputations in Haiti] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426033612/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/medics-report-mass-amputations-in-haiti/story-e6frf7jx-1225820638646 |date=26 April 2011 }}, ''Herald Sun'', 17 January 2010</ref><ref>Sheridan, Mary Beth [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/17/AR2010011701144.html Patients overwhelm medical teams at Haiti clinics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202070706/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/17/AR2010011701144.html |date=2 February 2017 }}, ''The Washington Post'', 17 January 2010</ref> Running short of medical supplies, some teams had to work with any available resources, constructing splints out of cardboard and reusing latex gloves. Other rescue units had to withdraw as night fell, amid security fears.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/Fears+violence+Haitians+grow+desperate/2450845/story.html |title=Fears of violence as Haitians grow desperate for water, food |last=Edwards |first=Steven |author2=Barrera, Jorge |date=17 January 2010 |work=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Gazette]] |access-date=18 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120081649/http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Fears%2Bviolence%2BHaitians%2Bgrow%2Bdesperate/2450845/story.html |archive-date=20 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Over 3,000&nbsp;people had been treated by Médecins Sans Frontières as of 18 January.<ref name=miami1-18>Charles, Jacqueline, Trenton, Daniel, Clark, Lesley [http://www.miamiherald.com/582/story/1431558.html More U.S. troops, relief supplies to arrive in Haiti today; rescue efforts continue as window narrows for survivors], ''The Miami Herald'', 18 January 2010 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Ophelia Dahl]], director of [[Partners in Health]], reported, "there are hundreds of thousands of injured people. I have heard the estimate that as many as 20,000 people will die each day that would have been saved by surgery."<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6112915n&tag=related;photovideo Disaster in Haiti], CBS, 18 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010.</ref>

[[File:EscombrosBelAir5 Edit1.jpg|thumb|right|UN forces took to patrolling the streets of Port-au-Prince.]]

An MSF aircraft carrying a field hospital was repeatedly turned away<ref name='aftershockbbc'>{{cite news | title=Strong aftershock shakes Haiti, week after earthquake | date=20 January 2010| url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8469800.stm | work =BBC News | access-date = 20 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100121031209/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8469800.stm| archive-date= 21 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>Tran, Mark [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jan/17/haiti-quake-injured-hospitals Aid plane turned away from Haiti airport, says medical charity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202143146/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jan/17/haiti-quake-injured-hospitals |date=2 February 2017 }}, ''The Guardian'', 17 January 2010</ref> by US air traffic controllers, who had assumed control at Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport.<ref name=turnedback>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6992809.ece France and America bicker as Haiti aid fails to reach city] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414115754/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6992809.ece |date=14 April 2011 }} ''The Times'', 18 January 2010</ref> Four other MSF aircraft were also turned away.<ref name=turnedback/> In a 19 January press release MSF said, "It is like working in a war situation. We don't have any more morphine to manage pain for our patients. We cannot accept that planes carrying lifesaving medical supplies and equipment continue to be turned away while our patients die. Priority must be given to medical supplies entering the country."<ref name='dwblanding'>{{cite news | title=Doctors Without Borders Plane with Lifesaving Medical Supplies Diverted Again from Landing in Haiti | date=19 January 2010 | publisher=Doctors Without Borders | url=http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release.cfm?id=4176 | access-date=20 January 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123175040/http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release.cfm?id=4176 | archive-date=23 January 2010 | url-status=dead}}</ref> First responders voiced frustration with the number of relief trucks sitting unused at the airport.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/world/Canada_determining_how_and_where_to_direct_relief_to_Haitians_81939462.html |title=Canada determining how and where to direct relief to Haitians |last=Montpetit |first=Jonathan |date=18 January 2010 |agency=The Canadian Press |publisher=Alberta Local News |access-date=1 February 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722035520/http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/world/Canada_determining_how_and_where_to_direct_relief_to_Haitians_81939462.html |archive-date=22 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Aid workers blamed US-controlled airport operations for prioritising the transportation of security troops over rescuers and supplies;<ref name="Knife Edge"/> evacuation policies favouring citizens of certain nations were also criticised.<ref name='financialtimes'>{{cite news | first=Harvey | last=Morris| title=EU plays down talk of Haiti rift with US | date=17 January 2010| work =Financial Times| url =http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/558f15be-038b-11df-a601-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1 | access-date = 18 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100314072224/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/558f15be-038b-11df-a601-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1| archive-date=14 March 2010| url-status= live}}</ref>
[[File:Pararescue in Haiti 2010.jpg|thumb|A USAF [[pararescue]]man searching through demolished buildings in Port-au-Prince for survivors]]
[[File:Hospital ship usnscomfort Jan 20 haiti.jpg|thumb|Helicopters transfer injured earthquake victims to hospital ship [[USNS Comfort|USNS ''Comfort'']] off the coast of Haiti.]]

The US military acknowledged the non-governmental organizations' complaints concerning flight-operations bias and promised improvement while noting that up to 17 January 600 emergency flights had landed and 50 were diverted; by the first weekend of disaster operations, diversions had been reduced to three on Saturday and two on Sunday.<ref>{{cite news | first=Anthony | last=Boadle | title=U.S. military says Haiti airport jam easing | date=17 January 2010| agency =Reuters News | url =https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60H00020100118 |access-date = 18 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100121101508/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60H00020100118| archive-date= 21 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The airport staff was strengthened in order to support 100 landings a day, compared to the 35 a day that the airport gets during normal operation. A spokesman for the joint task force running the airport confirmed that, though more flights were requesting [[landing slot]]s, none was being turned away.<ref name=cave1-17>Cave, Damien, Sontag, Deborah [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/world/americas/18quake.html?hp Rescues Beat Dimming Odds in Haiti] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722081929/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/world/americas/18quake.html|date=22 July 2016 }}, ''The New York Times'', 17 January 2010</ref>

Brazilian Foreign Minister [[Celso Amorim]] and French Minister of State for Cooperation [[Alain Joyandet]] criticised the perceived preferential treatment for US aid arriving at the airport. A spokesman for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the French government had not protested officially with regard to the management of the airport.<ref>Fernandes, Adriana [https://archive.today/20120731204006/http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20100117/not_imp496977,0.php Brasil pedirá que ONU defina papéis] (in Portuguese), ''O Estado de S. Paulo'', 17 January 2010</ref><ref>AFP [http://www.liberation.fr/monde/0101614140-la-france-citique-la-gestion-de-l-aeroport-de-port-au-prince La France critique la gestion de l'aéroport de Port-au-Prince] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117234030/http://www.liberation.fr/monde/0101614140-la-france-citique-la-gestion-de-l-aeroport-de-port-au-prince |date=17 January 2010 }} (in French), ''Libération'', 16 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.</ref> US officials acknowledged that coordination of the relief effort is central to Haitian recovery.<ref>Hampton, Olivia [https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hRdguNpGRmf2_yTNXr3IXsl898sg Beset by logistical challenges, Haiti relief presses on] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401090922/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hRdguNpGRmf2_yTNXr3IXsl898sg |date=1 April 2013 }}, Agence France-Presse, 16 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010</ref> President Préval asked for calm coordination between assisting nations without mutual accusations.<ref>Scofield Jr., Gilberto [http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/mat/2010/01/16/descoordenacao-atrapalha-ajuda-vitimas-do-terremoto-no-haiti-915543121.asp Descoordenação atrapalha ajuda a vítimas do terremoto no Haiti] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120092222/http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/mat/2010/01/16/descoordenacao-atrapalha-ajuda-vitimas-do-terremoto-no-haiti-915543121.asp |date=20 January 2010 }} (in Portuguese), ''O Globo'', 17 January 2010</ref><ref>Morris, Harvey [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/558f15be-038b-11df-a601-00144feabdc0.html Haiti airport delays blamed on US] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917204438/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/558f15be-038b-11df-a601-00144feabdc0.html |date=17 September 2013 }}, ''Financial Times'', 17 January 2010</ref>

Based on US Air Force logs documenting activity at the airport, the [[Associated Press]] largely disproved the claim that the US held up aid in favor of military flights. The US military initially gave priority to military units in order to secure the airport, distribute aid, and provide security, but after that, incoming relief flights were cleared or rejected on a first-come, first-served basis. According to a US Air Force captain who had coordinated flight schedules, nearly all groups sending aid insisted their shipment was urgent. Those flights that were rejected were diverted to the [[Dominican Republic]], and their cargoes were unloaded and taken to Haiti by land.<ref name="heraldsun airport">[http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/6401614/article-Haiti-flight-logs-detail-early-chaos]{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref>

At the peak of the relief efforts, the airport was in a state of chaos. Normally, the airport, with a single runway and 10 spaces for large planes, handled 20 flights a day. After the earthquake struck, hundreds of planes rushed to Haiti without designated landing times. On average, a plane would land or take off every two minutes. The situation was complicated by the lack of room on ramps for planes to unload their cargo, and some planes did not have enough fuel to leave.<ref name="heraldsun airport"/>

[[File:Haitians pull out a body from the rubbles of a school (12 january 2010).jpg|thumb|left|While international efforts received significant media coverage, much of the local rescue effort was conducted by Haitians.]]
While the Port-au-Prince airport ramp has spaces for more than a dozen airliners, in the days following the quake, it sometimes served nearly 40 at once, creating serious delays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/34915151|title=U.S.: Haiti aid bottleneck is easing up – Haiti earthquake|publisher=NBC News|date=18 January 2010|access-date=20 January 2010|archive-date=3 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203145220/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/34915151/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
| last = Boadle | first = Anthony
| title = U.S. military says Haiti airport jam easing
| work = Reuters | location = Miami | date = 17 January 2010
| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60H00020100118
| access-date = 18 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100121101508/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60H00020100118| archive-date= 21 January 2010 | url-status= live}}
</ref> The supply backup at the airport was expected to ease as the apron management improved, and when the perceived need for heavy security diminished.<ref name = "Knife Edge"/> Airport congestion was reduced on 18 January when the United Nations and US forces formally agreed to prioritise humanitarian flights over security reinforcement.<ref name='bottleneck'>{{cite news | title =U.S.: Haiti aid bottleneck is easing up | date =18 January 2010 | publisher =NBC News | url =https://www.nbcnews.com/id/34915151 | access-date =20 January 2010 | archive-date =3 December 2016 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20161203145220/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/34915151/ | url-status =live }}</ref>

By 14 January, more than 20 countries had sent military personnel to the country, with Canada, the United States, and the Dominican Republic providing the largest contingents. The [[supercarrier]] {{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|6}} arrived at [[flank speed|maximum possible speed]] on 15 January with 600,000 emergency food rations, 100,000 ten-litre water containers, and an enhanced wing of 19&nbsp;helicopters; 130,000&nbsp;litres of [[drinking water]] were transferred to shore on the first day.<ref>[[Yochi Dreazen|Dreazen, Yochi]] [https://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2010/01/15/us-carrier-carl-vinson-joins-relief-efforts/ U.S. Carrier Carl Vinson Joins Relief Efforts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708092149/https://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2010/01/15/us-carrier-carl-vinson-joins-relief-efforts/ |date=8 July 2017 }}, ''The Wall Street Journal'', 15 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.</ref>

The helicopter carrier {{USS|Bataan|LHD-5|6}} sailed with three large [[dock landing ship]]s and two survey/salvage vessels, to create a "sea base" for the rescue effort.<ref name='navymil'>{{cite news | title= Vinson Helicopters Perform Medical Evacuations; "Sea Base" On the Way | date=16 January 2010| publisher=[[United States Navy]] | url =http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50582 | access-date = 17 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100118233402/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50582| archive-date= 18 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name='nvtimes'>{{cite news | first=Lance | last=Bacon | title=3 amphibs leave Virginia for Haiti | date=15 January 2010 | work =Navy Times | url =http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_bataanleave_011410w/ | access-date = 17 January 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_bataan_haiti_011510w/ |title=Bataan heads for Haiti |last=Farlan|first=Mark M. |date=16 January 2010 |work=Navy Times |access-date=16 January 2010}}</ref> They were joined by the [[French Navy]] vessel ''[[Francis Garnier (L9031)|Francis Garnier]]'' on 16 January,<ref>[http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/01/15/01011-20100115FILWWW00732-haiti-un-navire-francais-en-route.php Haïti: un navire français en route] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118073346/http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2010/01/15/01011-20100115FILWWW00732-haiti-un-navire-francais-en-route.php |date=18 January 2010 }} (in French), ''Le Figaro'', 15 January 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2010.</ref> the same day the hospital ship {{USNS|Comfort|T-AH-20|6}} and guided-missile cruiser {{USS|Bunker Hill|CG-52|6}} left for Haiti.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=57565 |author=Garamone, Jim |others=American Forces Press Service |title=Top Navy Doc Predicts Long USNS Comfort Deployment |date=16 January 2010 |access-date=16 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100301104035/http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=57565| archive-date= 1 March 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/navy_bunkerhill_011610/ |title=Bunker Hill en route to help Haiti mission |last= Fuentes|first=Gidget |date=16 January 2010 |work=Navy Times |access-date=16 January 2010}}</ref> Another large French vessel was later ordered to Haiti, the [[amphibious transport dock]] ''[[Siroco (L 9012)|Siroco]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tcd.siroco.free.fr/|title=Bienvenue sur le site consacré au TCD Siroco – Page d'accueil|publisher=TCD Siroco|access-date=20 January 2010|archive-date=12 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112165658/http://tcd.siroco.free.fr/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:LA County SAR pulls Haitian woman from earthquake debris 2010-01-17.jpg|thumb|right|A woman is rescued alive from rubble several days after the initial quake.]]

International rescue efforts were restricted by traffic congestion and blocked roads.<ref>[https://latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-haiti-roadblock17-2010jan17,0,1993795.story At Haiti roadblock, a lesson in power dynamics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212142658/http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-haiti-roadblock17-2010jan17,0,1993795.story |date=12 February 2010 }} ''Los Angeles Times'', 17 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.</ref> Although US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates had previously ruled out dropping food and water by air as too dangerous, by 16 January, US helicopters were distributing aid by drops to areas impossible to reach by land.<ref name="logjam">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1953379_1953494,00.html |title=With the Military in Haiti: Breaking the Supply Logjam |last=Padgett |first=Tim |date=17 January 2010 |magazine=Time |access-date=17 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117174008/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0%2C28804%2C1953379_1953494%2C00.html |archive-date=17 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In Jacmel, a city of 50,000, the mayor claimed that 70 percent of the homes had been damaged and that the quake had killed 300 to 500 people and left some 4,000 injured.<ref>AFP, [http://www.mysinchew.com/node/34251 "In Haiti, the Jacmel cathedral clock stopped at 5:37 pm"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511085653/http://www.mysinchew.com/node/34251 |date=11 May 2011 }} My Sinchew, 20 January 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2010.</ref> The small airstrip suffered damage rendering it unusable for supply flights until 20 January.<ref name=CBC-2010-01-18-CF-Jacmel>{{cite news |title = Canadian Forces head to port town of Jacmel |publisher = [[CBC News]] |date =18 January 2010 |url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canadian-forces-head-to-port-town-of-jacmel-1.950329 |access-date=18 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100121050326/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canadian-forces-head-to-port-town-of-jacmel-1.950329| archive-date= 21 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Canadian navy vessel [[HMCS Halifax (FFH 330)|HMCS ''Halifax'']] was deployed to the area on 18 January; the Canadians joined Colombian rescue workers, Chilean doctors, a French mobile clinic, and Sri Lankan relief workers who had already responded to calls for aid.<ref name=CNN-20-01-2010-Jacmel-CineInstitute>[http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/19/obrien.haiti.jacmel/ "O'Brien: Haiti's cultural core suffers, too"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501083254/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/19/obrien.haiti.jacmel/ |date=1 May 2011 }}, CNN, 20 January 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2010.</ref>

About 64,000 people living in the three adjacent agricultural communities of [[Durissy, Haiti|Durissy]], [[Morne a Chandelle, Haiti|Morne a Chandelle]], and [[Les Palmes, Haiti|Les Palmes]] were relatively unharmed because most of the people were working in the fields when the quakes struck. All their churches, chapels, and at least 8,000 homes were destroyed.<ref>[http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/index.php?i=33552&m=&l=&p=3&pre=&ver=swf "Symbol of Hope rescued from rubble in Haitian church"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513033918/http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/index.php?i=33552&m=&l=&p=3&pre=&ver=swf |date=13 May 2011 }}, ''Senior Life'', Brevard County Florida, March 2010, page 3</ref>

On 17 January 2010, British search and rescue teams were the first to reach Léogane, the town at the epicenter of the quake.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8465916.stm |title=Haiti quake victims' bodies 'piled up by roads' |work=BBC News |date=18 January 2010| access-date= 26 April 2011 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110511094741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8465916.stm| archive-date= 11 May 2011| url-status= live}}</ref> The Canadian ship [[HMCS Athabaskan (DDH 282)|HMCS ''Athabaskan'']] reached the area on 19 January,<ref>{{cite news |title = HMCS Athabaskan, Halifax to be in Haiti early Tuesday|work = [[The Chronicle Herald]] |date =18 January 2010 |url = http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9014860.html |access-date=19 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100122060434/http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9014860.html| archive-date= 22 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> and by 20 January some 250–300 Canadian personnel were assisting relief efforts in the town.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/haiti/canadas-big-task-in-haiti-starts-on-small-airstrip/article1436995/ |title=Canada's big task in Haiti starts on small airstrip |first=Gloria |last=Galloway |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=20 January 2010 |location=Toronto |access-date=26 April 2011 |archive-date=25 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125174454/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/haiti/canadas-big-task-in-haiti-starts-on-small-airstrip/article1436995/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By 19 January, staff of the International Red Cross had also managed to reach the town, which they described as "severely damaged&nbsp;... the people there urgently need assistance."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/haiti-earthquake-update-190110 |title=Haiti earthquake: reaching victims outside the capital|publisher=ICRC News|date=19 January 2010|access-date=12 August 2010}}</ref> By 20 January they had reached [[Petit-Goâve]] as well, where they set up two first-aid posts and distributed first-aid kits.<ref>[http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/haiti-earthquake-update-200110 Haiti earthquake: ICRC expands relief effort], ICRC News, 20 January 2010</ref>

[[File:Usns comfort patient haiti jan22.jpg|thumb|upright|A Haitian child is treated aboard a hospital ship.]]

Over the first weekend 130,000 food packets and 70,000 water containers were distributed to Haitians, as safe landing areas and distribution centers such as golf courses were secured.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6108740n&tag=contentMain;contentBody Evening News Online] CBS News (video), 17 January 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2010.</ref> Nearly 2,000&nbsp;rescuers had arrived from 43 different groups, with 161 [[search and rescue dog|search dogs]]; the airport had handled 250&nbsp;tons of relief supplies by the end of the weekend.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120111123517/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/17/world/main6107038.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesArea U.N.: Over 70 Rescued From Haitian Rubble] CBS News, 17 January 2010. Retrieved 18 January 2010.</ref> Reports from Sunday showed a record-breaking number of successful rescues, with at least 12 survivors pulled from Port-au-Prince's rubble, bringing the total number of rescues to 110.<ref>{{cite news | title=Taiwanese search team rescues two survivors in Haiti | date=19 January 2010 | work=Taiwan News | url=http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1158691&lang=eng_news&cate_img=49.jpg&cate_rss=news_Society_TAIWAN | access-date=20 January 2010 | archive-date=29 April 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429030953/http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1158691&lang=eng_news&cate_img=49.jpg&cate_rss=news_Society_TAIWAN | url-status=live }}</ref>

The buoy tender [[USCGC Oak (WLB-211)|USCG ''Oak'']] and {{USNS|Grasp|T-ARS-51}} were on scene by 18 January to assess damage to the port and work to reopen it,<ref>Schept, Susan [http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/01/coastguard_haiti_port_011910w/ CG continues evacuations, clears port], ''Navy Times'', 19 January 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50601 USNS Grasp, Divers Arrive in Port-au-Prince, Begin Port Assessments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629192810/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50601 |date=29 June 2011 }}, United States Navy, 18 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010.</ref> and by 21 January one pier at the Port-au-Prince seaport was functional, offloading humanitarian aid, and a road had been repaired to make transport into the city easier.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/21/haiti.earthquake/index.html?hpt=T2 Haiti pier opens, road laid into Port-au-Prince] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124094123/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/21/haiti.earthquake/index.html?hpt=T2 |date=24 January 2010 }}, CNN, 21 January 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2010.</ref> In an interview on 21 January, Leo Merores, Haiti's ambassador to the UN, said that he expected the port to be fully functional again within two weeks.<ref name="Bloomberg22" />

The US Navy listed its [[Military asset|resources]] in the area as "17 ships, 48 helicopters and 12 fixed-wing aircraft" in addition to 10,000 sailors and Marines.<ref>{{cite web|author=U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs |url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50631 |title=U.S. Fleet Forces Commander Provides Update on Navy Contributions to Haiti Relief Efforts |publisher=United States Navy |date=12 January 2010 |access-date=20 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100201141430/http://www.navy.mil//search//display.asp?story_id=50631| archive-date= 1 February 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> The Navy had conducted 336 air deliveries, delivered {{Convert|32400|usgal|L}} of water, 532,440 bottles of water, 111,082 meals and {{Convert|9000|lb|abbr=on}} of medical supplies by 20 January. Hospital ship ''Comfort'' began operations on 20 January, completing the arrival of the first group of sea-base vessels; this came as a new flotilla of USN ships were assigned to Haiti, including survey vessels, ferries, elements of the [[Maritime Prepositioning ship|maritime prepositioning]] and [[underway replenishment]] fleets, and a further three amphibious operations ships, including another helicopter carrier, {{USS|Nassau|LHA-4}}.<ref name="autogeneratedmil">{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50696 |title=Maritime Force Serves as Cornerstone of Relief Operations in Haiti |date=20 January 2010 |publisher=US Navy |access-date=25 January 2010 |archive-date=27 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127043232/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=50696 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Haiti relief landing jan22.jpg|thumb|left|Landing ships move supplies onshore from the rescue fleet.]]

On 22 January the UN and United States formalised the coordination of relief efforts by signing an agreement giving the US responsibility for the ports, airports and roads, and making the UN and Haitian authorities responsible for law and order. The UN stated that it had resisted formalising the organization of the relief effort to allow as much leeway as possible for those wishing to assist in the relief effort, but with the new agreement "we're leaving that emergency phase behind". The UN also urged organizations to coordinate aid efforts through its mission in Haiti to allow for better scheduling of the arrival of supplies.<ref name="Bloomberg22">{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Dolmetsch |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-22/un-urges-haiti-relief-coordination-as-supplies-flood-airport.html |title=UN Urges Haiti Coordination as Supplies Flood Airport |publisher=Bloomberg |date=22 January 2010 |access-date=22 January 2010 |archive-date=25 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425150342/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-22/un-urges-haiti-relief-coordination-as-supplies-flood-airport.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 23 January the Haitian government officially called off the search for survivors, and most search and rescue teams began to prepare to leave the country.<ref name="bbc23012010">{{cite news |title=Haiti quake victim rescue operation declared over |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8476474.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=23 January 2010 |access-date=23 January 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100126103049/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8476474.stm| archive-date= 26 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> However, as late as 8 February 2010, survivors were still being discovered, as in the case of Evan Muncie, 28, found in the rubble of a grocery store.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/10/haiti.rescue.ends/index.html Haiti supermarket rescues called off] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213201724/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/10/haiti.rescue.ends/index.html |date=13 February 2010 }} CNN, 10 February 2010</ref>

On 5 February, ten [[Baptist]] missionaries from [[Idaho]] led by [[Laura Silsby]] were charged with [[Conspiracy (crime)|criminal association]] and [[kidnapping]] for trying to smuggle 33 children out of Haiti. The missionaries claimed they were rescuing orphaned children but investigations revealed that more than 20 of the children had been taken from their parents after they were told the children would have a better life in America. In an interview, [[Kenneth H. Merten|Kenneth Merten]], the [[United States Ambassador to Haiti]], stated that the US justice system would not interfere and that "the Haitian justice system will do what it has to do."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/americans_charged_with_kidnapping_wMQSWOz5mQfjWjTe3nrPhN |title=10 Americans charged with kidnapping in Haiti |date=5 February 2010 |publisher=Agence France-Presse (AFP) |access-date=27 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100421121356/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/americans_charged_with_kidnapping_wMQSWOz5mQfjWjTe3nrPhN |archive-date=21 April 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 9 March 2010, all but Silsby were deported and she remained incarcerated.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/09/haiti.americans.detained/ Freed from Haiti, missionary returns 'with mixed emotions'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413085124/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/09/haiti.americans.detained/ |date=13 April 2010 }} CNN, 10 March 2010</ref>

Social networking organizations such as [[Crisis Camp Haiti]] were developed to aid in the structure and coordination of relief efforts in Haiti and future catastrophic events as well.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://huffingtonpost.com/chrissie-brodigan/apps-of-kindness-crisis-c_b_457792.html |title=Apps of Kindness: Crisis Camp Launches 3 New Web Apps for Haiti |date=17 February 2010 |access-date=22 March 2010|work=HuffPost| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100301060839/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chrissie-brodigan/apps-of-kindness-crisis-c_b_457792.html| archive-date= 1 March 2010 | url-status= live | first=Chrissie | last=Brodigan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20100202-new-haiti-project-website-pedre-leroux-reconstructing-earthquake-radio-internet |title=Home grown website to help Haitians rebuild |date=2 February 2010 |publisher=France 24 |access-date=22 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428073342/http://www.france24.com/en/20100202-new-haiti-project-website-pedre-leroux-reconstructing-earthquake-radio-internet |archive-date=28 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://haitirewired.wired.com/profiles/blogs/haiti-rewireds-mission |title=How Can Technology Help Haiti? Introducing Haiti Rewired |date=22 January 2010 |access-date=1 February 2011 |publisher=Haiti Rewired |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512232128/http://haitirewired.wired.com/profiles/blogs/haiti-rewireds-mission |archive-date=12 May 2011 }}</ref> By March 4, the American Red Cross, in conjunction with Mobile Accord's {{Proper name|mGive}} platform, had raised a total of $50 million for victims of the Haiti earthquake. James Eberhard of Mobile Accord stated that $32.5 million of the donations came from text giving.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ssir.org/articles/entry/five-digit_giving# |title=Five-Digit Giving |year=2010 |publisher=Stanford Review |last=Straus |first=Tamara |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=22 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422162823/https://ssir.org/articles/entry/five-digit_giving |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 10 April, due to the potential threat of mudslides and flooding from the upcoming [[Wet season|rainy season]], the Haitian government began operations to move thousands of refugees to a more secure location north of the capital.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8614278.stm |title=Haiti begins relocating quake victims ahead of rains |access-date=13 April 2010 |work=BBC News |date=11 April 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100412053939/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8614278.stm| archive-date= 12 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>