Haiti earthquake - Archives for the situation

Update 25/03

EU Civil Protection mission in Haiti winding down

- Third civil protection team hands over to humanitarian actors

The death toll from the 12 January earthquake in Haiti now stands at over 220,000 people. 1.3 million have been displaced by the earthquake. The EU response to the plight of the Haitian people was prompt and included civil protection (for a complete overview of the European response see Commission Vice President Ashton's website).

The third European civil protection team to be active in Haiti returned to Europe on 18 March. The team's task was to facilitate French military assistance in response to an appeal by the Prime Minister of Haiti to the EU for urgent military assistance with building shelters. The EU civil protection team identified a list of tasks for the military assistance focusing on debris removal, ground preparation for shelter settlements and shelter building. The military assistance supports the humanitarian relief effort, in line with the Oslo Guidelines on the use of military assets in disaster relief.

A total of three EU Civil Protection teams were dispatched to Haiti to coordinate incoming European assistance, carry out needs assessments and support the international relief effort in close cooperation with the UN. The EU teams were present on the ground from 14 January – 4 February and again from 1 – 18 March.

The EU civil protection team has now left Haiti, but EU assistance to Haiti continues. €120m has been committed by the European Commission in humanitarian aid. Humanitarian colleagues are still on site, where the recovery phase has slowly begun.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated the day of the earthquake and coordinated assistance from 25 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK).

The civil protection assistance included urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter and water sanitation. European search and rescue teams pulled at least 30 people alive from the rubble in the first days after the disaster. For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table.

In addition to coordinating Member States' assistance, the European Commission directly deployed a water purification unit and an advanced medical post with surgery. These two projects are co-financed by the EU under the EU Rapid Response Capability. The water purification unit, run by France, was operational in Port-au-Prince until mid-February providing 689,000 litres in total. The advanced medical post with surgery, run by Italy, was set up in Port-au-Prince and treated 727 patients in total, almost all requiring extensive surgery due to massive trauma.

The Commission awarded €4.4 million in EU financial support for the transport of assistance to Haiti. Recipient countries are France (€1.423m), Italy (€1.325m), Sweden (€976,000), Belgium (€300,000), Austria (€195,000), Iceland (€95,000), Slovenia (€38,000) and Hungary (€17,000).

Update 1/03

Headlines

EU Commissioner visiting Haiti 28/2-4/3
Third EU civil protection team reaches Haiti to ensure coordination of EU military assets with the civilian humanitarian effort
EU Rapid Response Capability support team to provide technical assistance

The European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, Kristalina Georgieva, has arrived in Haiti for a five day visit. As part of her visit she will also meet with the new EU civil protection team which is arriving in Haiti later today.

Following an appeal to the EU from the Prime Minister of Haiti for urgent military assistance with shelter, France offered an engineering unit capable of providing assistance with preparing shelter sites. The French military contingent is expected to arrive in Port-Au-Prince on or around 18 March.

In order to ensure full coordination of EU military assets with the civilian humanitarian effort, a third EU civil protection team has been deployed to Haiti to prepare the arrival of the French engineering unit. Two coordination experts from Member States and one liaison officer from the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) will facilitate identification of precise tasks for the incoming EU military assistance, in particular in the areas of shelter, sanitation or infrastructure.

For ensuring technical support on site, the MIC has activated a Technical Assistance and Support Team (TAST) from Denmark, which is co-financed by the EU under the EU Rapid Response Capability project.

Waterproof shelter material is a priority ahead of the upcoming rainy season. More tarpaulins and tents are still needed. In addition, many of the temporary camps suffer from poor sanitation.

€4.4 million in EU financial support has been awarded to date for co-financing transport of assistance to Haiti. Recipient countries are France (€1.423m), Italy (€1.325m), Sweden (€976,000), Belgium (€300,000), Austria (€195,000), Iceland (€95,000), Slovenia (€38,000) and Hungary (€17,000).

25 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) have provided assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles. Most of the emergency teams that were dispatched have now returned to Europe while the in-kind assistance, including many large items such as field hospitals, remains in place in Haiti (see table).

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly.Latest update: 26 February 14:00 UTC.

Update 23/2

Headlines

EU financial support for transport of assistance reaches €4.5m
Shelter and sanitary facilities now priority needs

The Haitian Direction for Civil Protection (DCP) estimates the death toll at 222,517 persons.

Waterproof shelter material is a priority ahead of the upcoming rainy season. More tarpaulins and tents are still needed. EU Member States have provided tents for around 17,500 people. In addition, many of the temporary camps suffer from poor hygiene, another priority for aid organisations.

€4.5 million in EU financial support has been awarded to date for co-financing transport of assistance to Haiti. Recipient countries are France (€1.423m), Italy (€1.325m), Sweden (€976,000), Belgium (€300,000), Austria (€195,000), Poland (€115,000), Iceland (€95,000), Slovenia (€38,000) and Hungary (€17,000).

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 19 February 14:00 UTC.

Update 9/2

Headlines

EU financial support for transport of assistance reaches €3m
EU civil protection team back in Brussels, in-kind assistance continues to arrive

Priorities for assistance continue to include shelter material and improved sanitation in the temporary settlement sites. More than 250,000 people are thought to have already received emergency shelter.

€3 million in EU financial support has been awarded to date for co-financing transport of assistance to Haiti. Recipient countries are France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Poland, Iceland, Slovenia and Hungary. A further €1.5 million has been requested.

The EU Civil Protection team has returned to Brussels. Two EU experts are staying on in Haiti to support, respectively, the UN and the Italian civil protection team.

Member States are still providing additional assistance such as medicines, water purification tablets and tents to the affected population. The two EU Rapid Response Capability units – a water purification unit and an advanced medical post with surgery - will continue operations in Port-au-Prince and Leogane until mid-February.

On 11 February, EU Heads of State and Government will meet to discuss how the EU can give further support to the reconstruction of Haiti, following the emergency help provided so far. Moreover, they will consider how the Union can improve the European rapid response in emergencies.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 8 February 20:00 UTC.

Update 5/2

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 5 February 13:00 UTC.

Update 4/2

Headlines

EU Civil Protection team returning home, EU rapid response capability units to stay until mid-February
EU financial support for transport of assistance reaches €2.8m
EU to hold informal high-level meeting on reconstruction of Haiti

The main focus for civil protection assistance in Haiti is currently shelter. With the rain and hurricane season starting in April, helpers are now trying to find more permanent shelter solutions, including plastic sheeting. Sanitation is also a major concern at many of the spontaneous settlements. With regard to medical care, more specialists such as physiotherapists are needed to provide post-operative care to amputees.

The EU Civil Protection team is returning home, with two experts staying on to support, respectively, the UN and the Italian civil protection team. German, French and Italian teams remain active in the field. The two EU Rapid Response Capability units – a water purification unit and an advanced medical post with surgery - will continue operations in Port-au-Prince and Leogane until mid-February.

Over €2.8 million in EU financial support has been awarded for co-financing transport of assistance to Haiti. Recipient countries are France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Iceland, Slovenia and Hungary. An additional €800,000 of co-funding has been requested.

25 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) are providing assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles.

On 11 February, EU Heads of State and Government will hold an informal meeting to discuss how the EU can give further support to the reconstruction of Haiti, following the emergency help provided so far. Moreover, they will consider how the Union can improve the European rapid response in emergencies.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 4 February 11:45 UTC.

Update 3/2

Headlines

EU countries still providing additional assistance to Haiti, e.g. tents, blankets, water purification liquid, health kits, medicines and medical teams
EU water purification unit providing 15,000 litres a day

The Haitian Government has confirmed 112,392 dead and 196,500 people injured following the 12 January earthquake. Almost half a million people are said to have left Port-au-Prince for outlying departments.

Urgent needs remain in the areas of shelter, water distribution and health care. In the area of health care, post-operative care and mobile clinics or health teams are especially needed. Recent assistance from Europe included 530 tents from Sweden and Italy, water purification liquid from Sweden, and ten interagency health kits for use by NGOs from Austria. Greece has offered medicines and a medical team.

The EU Civil Protection team in Haiti has visited many of the medical, water purification and other teams sent by European countries to Haiti. The team visited the EU Rapid Response Capability water purification unit in Port-au-Prince. The unit is run by France and co-financed and deployed by the Commission. The system provides 15,000 litres per day, of which 10,000 litres are distributed to the people in the vicinity and 5,000 litres are loaded onto trucks and distributed in different areas.

The Civil Protection team is also facilitating the start of the reconstruction phase and the EU's long-term aid. A group of four experts from the Commission's humanitarian, development and external relations department arrived in Port-au-Prince on Monday to start preparing a €100m aid programme. They were briefed by the Civil Protection team on arrival.

25 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) are providing assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles.

Over €2.3 million in EU financial support has been awarded for co-financing transport of assistance to Haiti. Recipient countries are France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Iceland, Slovenia and Hungary. An additional €1.3 million of co-funding has been requested.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 2 February 16:00 UTC.

Update 2/2

Headlines

EU countries providing over 2,000 tents for displaced population in Haiti
EU co-financing of transport– requested or approved – reaches €3.6m

Urgent needs remain in the areas of shelter, water distribution and health care. EU Member States have provided over 2,200 tents that can accommodate 17,500 people. In the area of health care, post-operative care and mobile clinics or health teams are especially needed.

The EU Civil Protection team in Haiti has visited many of the medical, water purification and other teams sent by European countries to Haiti. It is also assisting outgoing teams in arranging transport and handing over equipment to NGOs and other organisations on site. One team member is based in Leogane, where he is conducting joint assessments with the UN.

The water purification module and advanced medical post with surgery dispatched by the EU as part of the EU Rapid Response Capability pilot project will remain in Haiti until mid-February.

25 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) are providing assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 2 February 11:00 UTC.

Update 1/2

Headlines

EU countries providing additional tents for displaced population in Haiti
EU civil protection team cooperating with European teams to facilitate transport, handover of assistance

The Haitian Government has confirmed 112,392 dead and 196,500 people injured following the 12 January earthquake.

Urgent needs remain in the areas of shelter, water distribution and health care. EU Member States have so far sent over 1,300 tents that can accommodate 8,200 people. Several countries including Italy (1,000 tents) have offered or are considering sending more tents, bringing the total to over 2,000.

The Civil Protection team is also facilitating the start of the reconstruction phase and the EU's long-term aid. A group of four experts from the Commission's humanitarian, development and external relations department is arriving in Port-au-Prince today to start preparing a €100m aid programme. They will be briefed by the Civil Protection team and a joint assessment is planned for tomorrow, 2 February.

The water purification module and advanced medical post with surgery dispatched by the EU as part of the EU Rapid Response Capability pilot project will remain in Haiti until mid-February.

Over €2.3 million in EU financial support has been awarded for co-financing transport to Haiti. Recipient countries are France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Iceland, Slovenia and Hungary. An additional €1.3 million of co-funding has been requested.

25 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) are providing assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 1 February 13:28 UTC.

Update 29/1

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 29 January 14:56.

Update 28/1

Headlines

EU Rapid Response Capability water purification unit and advanced medical post will stay for a further two to three weeks in Haiti
First EU Civil Protection team on the ground reports coordination in Haiti is good given the challenging conditions

The Haitian Government has confirmed 112,392 dead and 196,500 people injured following the 12 January earthquake. Over a quarter of a million people have already left the most affected areas. In total, up to a million people are thought to have been displaced.

The first EU Civil Protection team returned safely to Brussels on Wednesday. Team members took part in a press event [see photo gallery and videos] where they stressed the excellent cooperation with other relief actors and the great success of one of the biggest ever search and rescue operations. Following a full debriefing, all team members returned home.

The new EU Civil Protection team in Haiti is continuing to support European teams on the ground in their work. It was also involved in establishing operation centres in Leogane and Jacqmel and is carrying out more field assessments in these areas.

The water purification module and advanced medical post with surgery dispatched by the EU as part of the EU Rapid Response Capability pilot project will remain in Haiti for a further two to three weeks. The medical team operating the medical post has been replaced by a fresh team.

Over €2.2 million in EU financial support has been awarded for co-financing transport to Haiti. Recipient countries are France, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. An additional €1 million of co-funding has been requested.

24 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) have provided assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 28 January 08:13.

Update 27/1

Headlines

Shelter, water and sanitation, food and medical care most urgent needs two weeks after the quake
EU Civil Protection team in Haiti is working with Member States to facilitate the delivery of European assistance
24 European countries involved in the relief effort and channelling assistance through the Civil Protection Mechanism.

The number of deaths following the 12 January earthquake is estimated at between 112,250 and 150,000. 133 persons were extracted alive by the international search and rescue teams.

While more assistance is reaching Port-au-Prince, there are still affected areas where assistance has not arrived. Rural areas in particular will need to be accessed over the coming days.

Urgent needs remain in the areas of shelter, water and sanitation, food and health. Around 200,000 family tents are needed to support 1 million people. EU Member States have so far sent over 1,000 tents that can accommodate 7,600 people. 24 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) have provided assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles.

The EU Civil Protection team is continuing to support European teams on the ground in their work. For example, it facilitated the coordination between the B-Fast (Belgian) field hospital and the Italian field hospital to optimise the immediate treatment of patients with multiple fractures and assisted Germany in finding transport for 30 tonnes of equipment to three different locations. Together with the UN, the EU team is carrying out assessments in Leogane, a town near Port-au-Prince that was heavily affected by the earthquake. The EU Civil Protection team is composed of experts from Italy (Team Leader), Denmark (Deputy Team Leader), France, Sweden, the Netherlands and two liaison officers from the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC).

The amount of EU financial support awarded or requested for transport of assistance to Haiti under the EU Financial Instrument for Civil Protection is more than €3.2 million.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 27 January 07:50.

Update 26/1

Headlines

EU Civil Protection team in Haiti focusing on identifying further civil protection needs and facilitating the coordination of European assistance
24 European countries involved in the relief effort and channelling assistance through the Civil Protection Mechanism.

The number of confirmed deaths following the Haiti earthquake stands at 112,250. There are around 200,000 injured people.

According to the Haitian Government, 200,000 family-sized tents are still needed for the estimated one million people displaced by the earthquake. EU Member States have so far sent over 1,000 tents of various sizes. Food remains another urgent priority.

The EU Civil Protection team, composed of experts from Italy (Team Leader), Denmark (Deputy Team Leader), France, Sweden, the Netherlands and two liaison officers from the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), is working closely with the UN to identify further civil protection needs and facilitate the coordination of assistance channelled through the Community Civil Protection Mechanism. On Monday, the EU Civil Protection team attended a meeting with Haitian President Préval and Prime Minister Bellerive to discuss urgent needs such as shelter and food. The Civil Protection team is also in regular contact with the Commission's humanitarian aid experts from DG ECHO. Members of the team are based in Port-au-Prince, Jacqmel and Leogane.

So far, 24 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland , Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and UK) have provided assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism including urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter, water sanitation units and hygiene articles. The priorities of the relief operation now are medical supplies, water and sanitation, shelter, blankets, food and fuel and transport equipment.

The EU assistance deployed through the Mechanism is making a difference in Haiti. The EU Rapid Response Capability advanced medical post with surgery, run by Italy, is treating around 50 patients per day, almost all requiring extensive surgery due to massive trauma. The field hospital sent by Belgium through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism treats some 60 to 80 patients daily. Two children have been born in the hospital. The French field hospital has been operational since 18 January and French medical teams are supporting four local hospitals.

The amount of EU financial support awarded or requested for transport to Haiti now stands at over €3 million.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 26 January 10:39.

Update 25/1

Headlines

Search and rescue phase has officially ended. 133 persons were extracted alive by rescuers.
Fresh EU Civil Protection team has started work in Haiti, cooperating with the UN and facilitating incoming European assistance.
24 European countries now involved in the relief effort and channelling assistance through the Civil Protection Mechanism.

The number of confirmed deaths following the Haiti earthquake has increased to 112,250. There are around 200,000 injured people and, according to UN estimates, up to 500,000 internally displaced people.

The search and rescue phase has now officially come to an end. 133 persons were extracted alive by the international rescue teams.

The first EU Civil Protection team is leaving Haiti today. The six Member State experts and one Commission liaison officer had been in Haiti since 14 January. They handed over to a fresh team on Saturday. The new team is composed of two Commission liaison officers from the Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) as well as five Member State assessment and coordination experts. In total, 14 experts were deployed by the MIC to Haiti so far.

The new team will split up to work from Port-au-Prince, Leogane and Jacqmel, the most affected towns. The European team is fully integrated into the UN relief effort and will focus in particular on assessments, establishing sub-offices in Leogane and Jacqmel and facilitating incoming European assistance and European teams.

Recently deployed European assistance includes tents, medicines and medical team from Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. The assistance was pooled through the MIC and sent in one cargo flight. Greece has offered additional medical assistance.

The EU assistance deployed through the Mechanism is making a difference in Haiti. The EU Rapid Response Capability advanced medical post with surgery, run by Italy, is treating approximately 50 patients per day, almost all requiring extensive surgery due to massive trauma. The field hospital sent by Belgium through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism treats some 60 to 80 patients daily. Two children have been born in the hospital. The French field hospital has been operational since 18 January. It treated 145 persons and undertook eight surgical operations on 21 January alone. The French medical teams on site are supporting four local hospitals and undertook 474 consultations on 21 January.

The amount of EU financial support awarded or requested for transport to Haiti now stands at over €3 million.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 25 January 11:00.

Update 22/1:

Headlines

More assistance continues to arrive in Haiti
New EU Civil Protection team left Brussels for Haiti
Search and rescue teams rescued 126 people from the rubble

The Haitian Directorate of Civil Protection has confirmed that 75,000 people died and a further 200,000 have been wounded as a result of the 12 January earthquake. These may not be final figures. Around half of the buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince have been destroyed.

EU Member States are still offering additional assistance to Haiti. Slovenia, for example, has offered 25 family tents, Austria offered 400 family tents and Hungary will deploy a medical team. A total of 23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK) are providing assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Today the European Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) deployed a fresh team of EU civil protection experts to take over from the team that has been on the ground in Haiti since 14 January. The new team consists of six experts from Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain and France as well as two MIC liaison officers. The EU team will continue to assist with the coordination of the international relief effort, carry out needs assessments and coordinate incoming European assistance.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has so far mobilised twelve search and rescue teams, two field hospitals, five advanced medical posts, 34 medical teams with a total of 192 staff and six water sanitation units. The twelve European search and rescue teams contributed to the search and rescue effort in Port-au-Prince and surrounding towns. 126 lives could be saved to date. Priorities of civil protection teams are now shifting to clearing debris and rubble, restoring infrastructure and providing shelter, medical assistance and other humanitarian aid.

The amount of EU co-financing of transport of assistance stands at to over € 1.7 million, facilitating 6 cargo flights bringing aid into the disaster-stricken country. Requests for co-financing 8 additional cargo flights are being processed.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 22 January 10:00.

Update 21/1:

Headlines

Violent aftershock on 20/1 causes no deaths, but some injuries
Search and rescue teams rescued 121 people from the rubble, search continues
New EU Civil Protection team preparing to leave Brussels to travel to Haiti

An aftershock of 6.1 hit Haiti on 20 January. No new deaths were reported but there were a number of injuries. Civil protection teams are continuing to assist the victims of the 12 January earthquake and the delivery of humanitarian aid is taking up speed.

The number of people confirmed dead has reached 80,000. 370,000 people are living in makeshift settlements throughout Port-au-Prince (PAP) with limited access to water and sanitation.

23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK) are providing assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The European Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) also dispatched directly one advanced medical post (project run by Italy) and one water purification unit (project run by France) which are part of the EU Rapid Response Capability. The advanced medical post with surgery, run by Italy, has been set up at a paediatric hospital in Port-au-Prince, in the area of Petionne Ville. It started operating on 18 January. 200 people have so far been successfully treated, mostly for broken arms and legs. The medical staff is also helping out at the paediatric hospital. See also photo gallery.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has so far mobilised twelve search and rescue teams, two field hospitals, six advanced medical posts, 30 medical teams with doctors and six water sanitation units. Search and rescue activities continued on 20 January, but this phase is slowly coming to an end with some teams leaving Haiti. Priority actions have shifted from USAR towards organising airlift capacity, the removal of rubble and debris, and the re-establishment of emergency services, utilities and telecommunications, and other humanitarian activities. Member States have offered more assistance, particularly medicines, shelter (over 900 tents) and medical teams, all of which are still urgently needed.

The 7-person EU Civil Protection team, which has been in Haiti since 14 January, will be relieved over the weekend. A second team is leaving Brussels on Friday 22 January to travel to the Dominican Republic and from there to Haiti. The EU Civil Protection team is running the Reception and Departure centre at the airport, running the operations centre which coordinates the search and rescue operation, supporting the work of the UN operations centre, conducting joint needs assessments with EU humanitarian aid experts, facilitating incoming assistance from countries participating in the Community Mechanism and liaising with partners on site.

The amount of EU co-financing of transport of assistance has increased to over € 1.7 million, facilitating 6 cargo flights bringing aid into the disaster-stricken country. Requests for co-financing 8 additional cargo flights are being processed.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 21 January 10:00.

Update 20/1:

Headlines

Assistance reaching people despite difficult circumstances
Search and rescue teams could rescue 121 people from the rubble
Medical assistance is reinforcing local hospitals, and field hospitals have been set up
20 water purification units up and running in the capital

Civil protection teams are continuing to assist the victims of the 12 January earthquake in Haiti and the delivery of humanitarian aid is taking up speed. The overall security situation in Port-au-Prince is relatively stable, with limited, localised violence and looting. The main challenges to aid distribution remain the lack of infrastructure and fuel shortages.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has so far mobilised twelve search and rescue teams, two field hospitals, six advanced medical posts, 29 medical teams with doctors and four water sanitation units.

23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK) are providing assistance to Haiti through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The assistance includes urban search and rescue (USAR) teams, medical teams and supplies, shelter (tents, blankets), water, hygiene articles and clothing.

12 search and rescue teams from EU Member States and Iceland, composed of around 400 staff plus rescue dogs, are working alongside teams from other countries. Search and rescue teams have extracted 121 persons alive from the rubble. The French teams, for example, have rescued 14 people.

The Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) has deployed a 7-person expert team to Haiti to support the international relief efforts. The team reached Haiti in the morning of 14 January and is located at the UN operations base. Its main tasks are to carry out needs assessment, coordinate incoming European assistance and assist in the international coordination of the emergency.

20 water purification units are operational in Port-au-Prince. This includes the EU water purification unit, co-financed under the Rapid Response Capability pilot project. The EU unit is providing water for 20,000 people. Distribution of drinking water, however remains a challenge.

The MIC has already approved more than € 1.5 million in co-financing of transport of assistance through the Civil Protection Financial Instrument, thus facilitating 5 cargo flights bringing aid into the disaster-stricken country. Requests for co-financing 8 additional cargo flights are being processed.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 20 January 11:30.

For more information on the EU response:

Update 19/1:

Following the devastating 12 January earthquake in Haiti, the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) deployed a 7-person expert team to Haiti to support the international relief efforts. The team has been on site since 14 January. Its main tasks are to carry out needs assessment, coordinate incoming European assistance and assist in the international coordination of the emergency.

22 European countries are currently assisting Haiti within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has so far mobilised two field hospitals, six advanced medical posts, 29 medical teams with doctors and four water sanitation units.

For the first time, the European Commission deployed two EU co-financed modules (water purification and advanced medical post with surgery) from the Rapid Response Capability pilot project. The water purification unit is operational in Port-au-Prince, providing water for 20,000 people. Further assistance in the form of medicines, tents and logistical support is arriving, although the situation on the ground remains difficult.

For a detailed overview of all the civil protection assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 19 January 11:00.

UPDATE 18/1:

The death toll following the 12 January earthquake is currently estimated at 50,000. 250,000 people are in urgent need of assistance and a total of 3 million people have been affected.

EU countries have sent 11 search and rescue teams, five field hospitals, six advanced medical posts, 14 medical teams and six water sanitation units. Assistance in the form of medicines, shelter and logistical support is also arriving.

19 Member States have activated their civil protection capacities to assist in Haiti.

The European Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre is coordinating the civil protection assistance and has already approved more than € 1 million in co-financing of transport of assistance.

For the first time, the European Commission deployed two EU modules (water purification and advanced medical post with surgery) from the Rapid Response Capability pilot project.

For a detailed overview of all the assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly. Latest update: 17 January 21:30

UPDATE 15/1:

Following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January, the Community Civil Protection Mechanism received a request for assistance from the Haitian authorities and is coordinating a swift civil protection response. An EU Civil Protection team composed of six experts from FR, IT, ES, AT, EE and UK as well as a liaison officer from the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) is in Haiti to assess the needs and coordinate incoming European assistance.

The EU Civil Protection team arrived in Haiti on 14 January at 14:35 CET and immediately started operations. As communication remains difficult, no full picture on the overall situation is currently available. The EU team is fully integrated into the international relief effort and a joint EU/UN operations centre will be established.

Current priorities for helping the affected population are search and rescue and medical supplies. Shelter, water purification and other humanitarian assistance is also required.

17 USAR teams are already on site and 6 more are on their way. No more search and rescue teams are needed at this stage as chances of survival rapidly deteriorate after 72 hours. The French USAR teams rescued five people and were working on extracting one further survivor.

The first European civil protection assistance arrived in Haiti on 14/1. Belgium, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and the UK have sent urban search and rescue teams. Medical aid is arriving from the EU, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Norway.

The EU, Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden are also providing water purification modules. Other in-kind assistance including shelter (tents, etc.) is arriving from Spain and Sweden.

For the first time, some of the EU Rapid Response Capacity (Preparatory Action) financed by the EU will be used in an emergency. A water purification module developed by France will arrive in Haiti today and an advanced medical post with surgery developed by Italy will arrive tomorrow. The two modules were dispatched at the request of the European Commission.

Sweden has been granted €125,000 co-financing for the transport of its assistance. They have also used the EU broker option to find transport capacity. Belgium and France also applied for co-financing of transport and the decisions are pending (total amount: €650,000)

For a detailed overview of all the assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly.

Situation 14/1:

Following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January, the Community Civil Protection Mechanism received a request for assistance from the Haitian authorities and is coordinating a swift civil protection response. A Mechanism assessment and coordination team composed of six experts from FR, IT, ES, AT, EE and UK as well as a liaison officer from the Commission's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) has been dispatched to Haiti.

Current priorities for helping the affected population are search and rescue and medical supplies. Shelter, water purification and other humanitarian assistance is also required.

The first European civil protection assistance arrived in Haiti on 14/1. Belgium, France, Iceland, Luxembourg and the UK sent urban search and rescue teams. More search and rescue teams from France, the Netherlands and Spain are on their way. Medical aid is arriving from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Sweden.

Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden are also providing water purification modules. Other in-kind assistance including shelter (tents, etc.) is arriving from Spain and Sweden.

The PISARTE (Pisa advanced response team in emergency) advanced medical post and surgery and urban search and rescue team, developed by Italy under an EU test programme to boost civil protection capacities is deploying its medical component, an advanced medical post with surgery room. This would be the first time one of these standby civil protection modules will be tested in a live emergency.

For a detailed overview of all the assistance provided, please see the table, which is updated regularly.

The Mechanism is working closely with other EU actors and the UN to align efforts.