On Haiti and a total disaster

[nadinbrzezinski]

so Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and things are pretty bad after a major quake

But this is WORST than most people think.

Reaching for that disaster manager hat. (My apologies for those of you who will think I am about to skirt into military lingo... it works here too and we used it while in the field)

The UNHQ has collapsed... there goes one leg of Command and Control. Oh and most likely a communications hub.

The Palace collapsed... there goes another leg of command and control.

When you have your command and control intact is a pain to handle a disaster like this, and get your bearings, and move on. But in a disaster like this NOT having C3I is more than just a pain. So if they delay going WORLD HELP... they are probably a little busy getting their bearings and oh deciding who is doing what. In military terms they probably suffered at least partial decapitation.

[Avalux]

1. Yes, it a horrible disaster.

US military available to help...I just heard. It will take a long time for any sort of organization to occur. During which - people will continue to perish. :(

[MadMaddie]

2. I agree with you

I am studying Protecting Critical Infrastructures and Emergency Management now and all of the key concepts are occuring in Haiti now. Electrical, Water, Transportation all are probably impacted.

You also have to take into consideration the leadership structure in Haiti, who survived? If they lost a large % of leaders that will add to the chaos.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. That is where the word command comes in

watch and learn, it has the potential of becoming much worst. There is also the natural tendency of... leader is gone... food fight (gallows humor).

[Maru Kitteh]

20. I apologize, I really do for going all English teacher in this thread...

because I'm not an English teacher, but I believe when you use the word "worst," the word that you mean to use is "worse."

Sorry. I always look forward to reading your posts. I thought you might want to know. Peace.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. No worries, English, let alone American are not my primary languages

and yes there is a difference.

:hi:

So there are errors I make that are classic for ESL.

Sit... seat for example...

[cali]

3. Is the airport even operational?

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Even if it is damaged, it is the fastest thing to bring back

up.

Laying down an emergency strip that military cargo planes can use is fairly straight forwards and a few military engineers can do that lickety split (12 hours not unusual). Now the port... that would concern me a little more... long term aide needs ships... and damaged ports are harder to bring back online.

[Hello_Kitty]

9. And there may be a carrier that can get there. eom

[tekisui]

6. Last I heard, no word on the condition of the airport.

[Warpy]

7. It's on the north edge of the city

and farther away from the epicenter. Helicopters can probably make it in if military transport craft can't.

There is little communication out and no communication there except word of mouth by people walking from one area to another. Roads are blocked, there is no electricity, no water, no food. The situation is terrible now but will become catastrophic without help by early tomorrow.

[jwirr]

15. A food drop would probably be one answer for the water/food supply

but if enough was not dropped it could be a disaster of another kind.

[tekisui]

12. Miami center says it cannot establish communication with Haiti airport

FAA, Miami center says it cannot establish communication with Haiti airport, will not send flights until link is made - NBC

[MadMaddie]

28. One of the news stations is reporting the tower is damaged...

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. Even if it is not damaged (which is unlikely with all that is being reported)

mark my worlds, a HMVEE with electronics will serve that role VERY SOON.

I suspect a Ranger unit or AF Forward Air Controllers are getting tapped about now. Oh and that is because we have the capacity... either us or Canada in that close.

Oh and OAS emergency meeting is coming, another one of those... that is kind of obvious.

[malaise]

4. Yep

Bottom line it is the capital that has been destroyed including the major police building so all disaster relief will be spearheaded by the UN, US CARICOM and Haiti.

Would be nice if Aristide could return home and mobilize his people.

[peacetalksforall]

23. I get all teary when his name is mentioned. What we did to him was incredible.

All I can wish for is that some good will spread all around in a wide circle.

When I read the OP I thought how can this happen, they just had an earthquake in the formm of a U.S. coup against Haiti. I have felt bitterness remembering the preparation that went into the coup operated by the U.S. and France and a tag of other countries when Aristede, duly elected, was captured and lifted out of Haiti by air - overnight. So I also remembered the World Bank honchos who were major figures in the coup and I thought - let this World Bank Director make up for his and their conspiratorial participation in the coup - let them now do some good, for a change.

I also remember the massacres that took place immediately after.

We have rarely been innocent in our dealings with the people of Haiti.

I have just proved to myself that even with news of an earthquake, I can't think of Haiti without thinking about what we have done to those people.

And now a quake.

[jwirr]

10. Since they have lost their headquarters I would guess they are

coordinating with some of the other relief organizations but that won't be easy either.

Please keep us informed on this angle when they finally are able to see in the daylight again. One good thing the other half of the island (DP) seems to be untouched so they may be able to move in from that side and set up refugee camps. At times like this I wish I was 25 years younger and free to go and help. As a social worker with an emphasis on development I should have some kind of talent they could use.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. I was trained in disaster relief

this is MY SHTICK.... not that I could do it now.

(I was also a trained medic and in confined space rescue... like what they need RIGHT NOW) Sucks to have to seat on the sidelines at times

:-(

[grantcart]

11. Looking at clips it was clear that deforestation had made earth slides much worse as well

massive help will be needed.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Deforestation has been an issue for years

[grantcart]

19. Yep just like SE Asia

Destruction is just unimaginable, eventually mudslides will wipe out villages.

[Odin2005]

16. This is looking horrible, just horrible!

:(

[Warpy]

17. Airport NOT DAMAGED

per UN rep from Haiti on Al Jazeera.

[cali]

18. thanks, warpy. at least that's a crumb of tolerable news in this catastrophe

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. Good that means the first landing will have to bring the

heavy equipment to clear the road, for the rest... to come in

:-)

And yes C-5s and C-130s are INCREDIBLE machines. They take Striker combat vehicles and Engineering Vehicles... I take my hat off to the cargo load masters and other logistics experts

[Warpy]

25. Yeah, the tower and all the electronics are likely to stay down

but they should be able to get in there at first light.

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. And if they are damaged, it's amazing what you can run

out of the back of a Humvee....

Yes, in an emergency one of them can function as a tower, with the proper equipment.

[shireen]

24. thanks, your perspective is very valuable to help us understand ... nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. Watching the latest updates this is beyond the worst case

I wrote briefs for... (in case you wonder, for the San Diego\Tijuana Region)

And I do not lack an imagination either. After all I was dealing with a first world and a third world infrastructure and a few geological features that gave all of us pause.

First light I suspect will bring an image closer to oh Dresden and I will not be too shocked if casualty rates reach fifty thousand dead.

Oh a personal basis I have come to that time of the decade, when it is time to replace my quake food... well now I am planning to get enough for a week... not three days... over the next few months, either MREs or camping food, that just needs water... the latter, is troublesome, due to lack of water. But that is more palatable and easier to portion out than oh MREs.

[dave29]

30. This is a terrible disaster, really, really bad.

my hat's off to those who get in there and try and make the best of it.

[eleny]

31. This is heartbreaking

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. If you can afford it, give some money to the

NGOs that are on the way or on the ground

[eleny]

37. Oh yes, we did that already

Hubby took care of it a couple of hours ago and I doubt it will be the last.

[FrenchieCat]

33. I just donated.......

Via my cellphone!

[nadinbrzezinski]

34. I did oh ten minutes ago

to UNICEF this time

I will call monday to see if the local NGO needs some office work done so their specialists can go

[FrenchieCat]

35. I Texted "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts

[nadinbrzezinski]

36. That is a whole different discussion

But I stopped giving to the ARC after 9.11 and that kurfunkle.

So when I give to the Red Cross, it is the International Committee. (And they do have teams on the ground as is, but they still need to update their website... after all they are in Geneva and right now web design is the last thing in their minds)