HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

January 20, 2010. Haiti rocked by strong aftershock

SOURCE: Corporate Risk International

A strong 6.1 magnitude on the Richter scale aftershock rocked Haiti during the early morning hours on January 20th, sparking panic in Port-au-Prince. The aftershock struck just north-west of Port-au-Prince only eight days after the country was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude quake. It remains unclear if the aftershock caused any significant damages.

Meanwhile, aid reaching survivors is continuing to be distributed slowly and authorities say the injured are increasingly dying due to the lack of basic medical supplies. The U.S. military plans to begin using airports in Jacmel, Haiti and San Isidro, Dominican Republic in the next few days in order to increase aid distribution.

Rescue operations are continuing throughout Port-au-Prince, where rescuers have reportedly pulled 121 people from collapsed buildings since the quake. Current estimates put the death toll at 200,000, injured at 250,000, and homeless at 1.5 million.

Additionally, the UN Security Council voted on January 19th to temporarily boost its peacekeeping forces in Haiti by 3,500. Authorities say fears over looting and violence have eased, with looting incidents continuing to be reported in isolated incidents but a major outbreak is no longer a concern. Meanwhile, authorities say escaped prisoners from the National Penitentiary, which was destroyed in the quake, have organized in an attempt to free convicts at Carrefour, the last remaining prison.

Gas shortages are being reported throughout the capital city as survivors are looking to leave the city. Additionally, traffic along the border with the Dominican Republic is reported high, as survivors are seeking medical attention in the neighboring country.