The picture above shows that shipping aid in has been compromised also by the quake. Fortunately, the airport is still functional. I imagine it is under security right now, which would be the wise and proper thing to safeguard first; supply entry and those who can help.
Reuters: "No one is running the country" which is a sure recipe for anarchy.
From their rolling updates:
a. Some people are barricading the streets with corpses, (to ambush any organized aid effort with looting and pillage.) This is probably reported a little too sensationally. Likely the bodies were already being stacked for removal and created an opportunity; part of the dire conditions. Remember also that desperation and/or theft vis-a-vis aid is not exclusive to Haiti.
b. The number of MINUSTAH personnel dead has risen to 36 as more bodies have been recovered.
c. Cuba has opened up its airbases for logistical staging of supplies and personnel.
"Port-au-Prince should be evacuated" at Firefighter blog. He's right.
Report on Conditions explains the logistic challenges to aid relief in a good outline form.
The South Kansas City Observer finds video of the actual quake; no bells, no whistles, just the power of nature.
Background papers for care providers and interested people at ALNAP.org, both in easy to read pdf.
1. A forty-page summary on lessons from 29 different earthquake relief efforts. Looks good. The first 15 pages are the important ones right now.
2. A thirty-one page summary on lessons from urban disasters. Also looks good.
If you can't read it all, read the first page table of contents for the principles/priorities.
Pictures are from the Big Picture blog.
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