Thousands are trapped, missing or feared dead in Haiti in the aftermath of Tuesday's devastating, 7.0-magnitude earthquake.
The death toll is difficult to measure Wednesday, but The Red Cross reports as many as three million people were affected by the disaster, which left the capital city of Port-au-Prince in shambles. Injured survivors are pleading for help in the streets.
Haiti's ambassador to the United States, Raymond Joseph, told CNN the country's president and his wife are safe, but that the first lady told him "most of Port-au-Prince is destroyed."
Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles, a former Haitian senator, said the poor Caribbean nation is desperate for help.
"The hospitals cannot handle all these victims," he said.
Thousands are trapped in the wreckage of collapsed buildings, which include the presidential palace, a major hospital and a five-story United Nations building. France's foreign minister said its U.N. mission chief in Haiti appears to have died in the quake.
The death toll is difficult to measure Wednesday, but The Red Cross reports as many as three million people were affected by the disaster, which left the capital city of Port-au-Prince in shambles. Injured survivors are pleading for help in the streets.
Haiti's ambassador to the United States, Raymond Joseph, told CNN the country's president and his wife are safe, but that the first lady told him "most of Port-au-Prince is destroyed."
Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles, a former Haitian senator, said the poor Caribbean nation is desperate for help.
Lisandro Suero, AFP / Getty Images
The Haitian presidential palace stands in ruins in Port-au-Prince, the capital, after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the impoverished nation Tuesday.
Thousands are trapped in the wreckage of collapsed buildings, which include the presidential palace, a major hospital and a five-story United Nations building. France's foreign minister said its U.N. mission chief in Haiti appears to have died in the quake.
There may be more loss of life among the U.N. staff in Haiti, but Alain Le Roy, the chief of U.N. peacekeeping forces, told The Associated Press the organization "cannot give figures for the time being."
International rescue and relief teams are mobilizing to respond to the S.O.S., with the U.S. pledging its full support. Venezuela, Mexico, France and Italy are also sending rescue workers, medical supplies, drinking water and canned foods.
U.S. Coast Guard planes are assessing the damage from the air to determine if it is safe for rescue crews to touch down. "We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In a statement, President Barack Obama said "we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti."
The Haitian American community is anxiously awaiting word on missing relatives. Some are relying on a State Department hotline, as communication to the island has largely been limited due to damaged telephone lines.
Missionaries working in Haiti before the quake struck now join the nation's residents in need.
Louise Ivers, clinical director of the aid organization, Partners in Health, appealed for help in anemotional email to her colleagues, writing, "Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS... Temporary field hospital by us... needs supplies, pain meds, bandages. Please help us."
International rescue and relief teams are mobilizing to respond to the S.O.S., with the U.S. pledging its full support. Venezuela, Mexico, France and Italy are also sending rescue workers, medical supplies, drinking water and canned foods.
Ivanoh Demers, The Canadian Press / AP
Earthquake victims are tended to a Port-au-Prince hotel Tuesday.
U.S. Coast Guard planes are assessing the damage from the air to determine if it is safe for rescue crews to touch down. "We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In a statement, President Barack Obama said "we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti."
The Haitian American community is anxiously awaiting word on missing relatives. Some are relying on a State Department hotline, as communication to the island has largely been limited due to damaged telephone lines.
Missionaries working in Haiti before the quake struck now join the nation's residents in need.
Louise Ivers, clinical director of the aid organization, Partners in Health, appealed for help in anemotional email to her colleagues, writing, "Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS... Temporary field hospital by us... needs supplies, pain meds, bandages. Please help us."
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