Last edited Sun Aug 22, 2021, 01:18 AM - Edit history (1)
U.S. to Send Amphibious Warship to Haiti to Support Earthquake Relief
https://news.usni.org/2021/08/16/u-s-to-send-amphibious-warship-to-haiti-to-support-earthquake-relief
The brunt of the quake hit the southwestern Tiburon Peninsula and blocked roads and collapsed bridges, cutting off towns from support from the road, Sarah Charles, assistant to the administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, told The Miami Herald.
On Sunday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told U.S. Southern Command commander Adm. Craig Faller to assist in the USAID effort, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday. Joint Task Force Haiti supports the humanitarian effort and is led by Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command South. A team of 14 from the military is on the ground to assess the need from the U.S. while Navy and Coast Guard aircraft and Coast Guard cutters are on scene.
“The Navy is aiding with unmanned and manned aircraft to provide aerial images of earthquake devastation,” he said.
“Those images will be used to help determine what relief capabilities are needed, where and when. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters and aircrews are transporting medical personnel and evacuating those requiring higher levels of care. These Coast Guard cutters will remain offshore and on standby to assist relief efforts.”
The addition of an amphibious warship will provide an additional offshore helicopter capability and landing craft, which can get to difficult-to-reach parts of Haiti that are still cut off from relief.
U.S. military sending more air support to help disaster relief mission in Haiti
https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article253528759.html
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is leading the American effort to deliver supplies to the Caribbean nation. But officials say the relief mission has been slowed because the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the country’s southwestern peninsula, which is only accessible by single-lane roads.
Those roads are unsafe due to the turbulent security situation that has unfolded in Haiti since the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moïse, last month. The roads have also been battered by recent flooding, mudslides and the earthquake.
And a storm that will reach the island within hours is expected to make the situation worse.
Warship USS Arlington, More Coast Cutters to Join Haiti Relief Operation
https://news.usni.org/2021/08/17/warship-uss-arlington-more-coast-cutters-to-join-haiti-relief-operation
The amphib will deploy with two MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, a surgical team and landing crafts. In addition, the U.S. is sending the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF-10) will also serve as a platform to launch UAVs for aerial surveillance as well as two P-8A Poseidon maritime aircraft that are operating out of El Salvador.
Two U.S. Coast Guard cutters are on station width seven more are set to join, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.
“We do expect that field hospitals, four field hospitals from U.S. Southern Command will be set up in southern Haiti by later this week,” Kirby said.
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