Haiti recovery and rescue efforts hindered (photos, videos)

It’s been over 60 hours since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the nation of Haiti and recovery and rescue efforts have been hindered. The willingness of the people is great, however it is hard to get access to the city hardest hit: Port-au-Prince. Though the airport is open and aid is making its way to the land, it has been an arduous journey getting those supplies to the people in need. There are thousands of earthquake survivors who have been without food and drink since the earthquake struck on Tuesday. As the struggle to get aid to the survivors wages on, the threat of looting and violence increases. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates spoke about the situation.

“The security situation remains OK. The concern is, as people -- the key is to get the food and the water in there as quickly as possible so that people don't, in their desperation, turn to violence or lead to a security situation deteriorating. And that's why there's such a high priority now in getting food and water in to people. But at this point, other than some scavenging and minor looting, our understanding is the security situation is pretty good.” Robert Gates

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Survivors have described the scenario as a war zone, and many are afraid to enter buildings due to after-shocks. Thousands upon thousands of people are essentially camping out in the streets and people are working diligently trying to free people from the crumbling rubble. However, with medical supplies limited, doctors and nurses on the ground state that they don’t even have enough to provide basic first aid to many of the survivors.

CNN reports that the fight for food is becoming desperate as one man was seen carrying a bag of rice. Survivors descended upon the man, ultimately tearing the bag of rice to shreds. Looting has begun as survivors are making their way into shops in an attempt to get food and drink.

The bodies continue to pile up in the streets and many can be seen covering their noses and mouths as they walk through the remnants of the town due to the overwhelming stench of death. The morgues have reached capacity and there is no place for the bodies. Reports have surfaced that thousands of bodies are being buried in mass graves. The Red Cross has estimated the death toll at 50,000 while many Haitian officials believe that number may be as high as 100,000.

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