US military forces remain in support of the OFDA effort in Haiti and are working closely with the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the international community. There are 6 international field hospitals treating patients.
Air, maritime and ground elements of Joint Task Force Haiti continue to deliver a substantial number of food, water, medical and relief supplies via air and sea transport, to evacuate Americans from Haiti, and to provide security.
In order to increase relief delivery and reach inaccessible areas, the first C-17 air drop occurred today.
The hospital ship USNS Comfort has accelerated her arrival to be on scene on 20 Jan.
To meet the intense logistics demands JTF-Haiti is opening a secondary air hub in the Dominican Republic with the assistance of the Government of the Dominican Republic and an overland route to Port-au-Prince has been established.
The United States Coast Guard reports that eight ports are fully operational (Labadie, Cap Haitien, Port de Paix, Gonaives, Saint-Marc, Miragoane, Les Cayes and Jacel).
MINUSTAH and Haitian National Police (HNP) established a curfew effective 1800 EST, 17 Jan. This will ensure a stable security situation as humanitarian relief supplies are distributed.
Due to the destruction of numerous Haitian government facilities, President Preval will be meeting with the Parliament at the Haitian Police Academy. Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne will provide security for the meeting.
There is a significant number of aircraft operating at Port Au Prince Airport for international relief efforts and planned evacuations. Air crew should check in frequently with the FAA for updated information.
Below are links to the Center for International Disaster Information's (CIDI) Guidelines and FAQ; and "Interaction" which will be helpful in answering questions.
http://www.cidi.org/guidelines/guide_ln.htm
http://www.cidi.org/media/faq.htm
www.interaction.org
