(Haiti's)Government declares search and rescue phase over

[demoleft]

Source: afp

AFP - Haiti's government has ended the search and rescue phase of the quake relief effort after at least 132 people were pulled out alive from under the rubble, the United Nations said Saturday.

"The Government has declared the search and rescue phase over," the UN's Organisation for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in its latest situation report on the relief effort.

"There were 132 live rescued by international search and rescue teams," it added.

Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20100123-governement-declares-search-rescue-phase-over-officials-say-110000-dead-haiti-earthquake

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maybe you have it already. i see it now as news, breaking on the bbc.

[Syrinx]

1. shouldn't they wait until they stop finding survivors...

... to call off the search for survivors? :shrug:

[Rhiannon12866]

16. +1

There may be more survivors waiting to be found only a day later... ;( :hi:

[dipsydoodle]

2. "heartbreaking" decision the UN says.

The announcement came a day after two people, an 84-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were pulled alive from the rubble in Port-au-Prince.

The UN spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs says 132 people have been rescued since the earthquake 11 days ago.

On Friday the official government death toll from the quake rose to 110,000.

Speaking in Geneva, Ms Byrs said that the decision to end the rescue operation was "heartbreaking" but that it had been taken on the advice of experts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8476474.stm

Just gotta get those troops busy on the ground controlling the population. :sarcasm:

[zonkers]

3. yeah, who wants troops to come in and restore order and calm to a decimated city with little

or no infrastructure and administrative ability. Don't get me wrong, bashing "the man" is often valid but how can you not be for troops coming in under these circumstances == to fight lawlessness and to protect innocents?
:shrug:

[Andronex]

4. The US general in charge of this operation...

The US general in charge of this operation has said that the level of violence is lower than it was before the earthquake, there is absolutely no excuse for sending, and now the number is 20,000 troops, it seems the only thing the USA is able to do is war and occupation.

[ronnie624]

5. You're right. Order, calm and security must be maintained.

But don't forget to read up on the history that has led to poor infrastructure and a lack of administrative ability. There are reasons behind the exacerbation of this disaster. The only way to avoid repeating a bad history, is to learn from it.

[Mika]

14. How to make good using disaster. Corporate America is learning.

Putting a calming tonic and lots of smiley faces into occupation/privatization.

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[EFerrari]

6. Except there was very little disorder by the populace

in the immediate aftermath.

This really isn't about bashing the man but about raising legit questions about making security a priority over saving lives in the window of opportunity.

[Waiting For Everyman]

15. +1

[dipsydoodle]

9. Because it may be followed

by the their government using aid funds to pay Blackwater to do exactly the same.

Their "lawless" areas are not necessarily much different from other countries anyway.

[laylah]

7. ...

:cry: God/dess, or Whomever they worshipped, bless their souls and make their crossing as easy as possible :cry:

[winyanstaz]

8. I dont see why they cant keep trying for a couple more days at least...

But I shall also be watching to see if we leave there anytime soon.
Somehow...I dont think so.

[dipsydoodle]

10. The window of opportunity was during the first week

Hence the disgust in Europe about the search and rescue not being allowed to land sooner.

[winyanstaz]

11. I agree with that as well...it was a crime also turning away of some of the rescuers...

However I think there are still people able to be saved under that rubble...at least for another day or two..the human spirit is amazing.

[marshall]

12. Hearbreaking, but I'm glad to see Haiti in charge

Now is the time for the world community to help Haiti get back on its feet.

[Bluebear]

13. :(