WSJ:
WASHINGTON—U.S. special operations forces have reopened Haiti’s airport and United Nations and U.S.-led teams have begun rescue efforts in the earthquake-stricken nation, according to a government situation report issued Thursday morning and obtained by The Wall Street Journal.
An 7.0-level earthquake shook the impoverished Caribbean nation Tuesday, and estimates of the dead range from tens of thousands to beyond 100,000. The U.S. government report details efforts to reach and set up relief operations in Haiti, including a broad military effort extending into next week. It did not provide casualty estimates.
President Barack Obama ordered the U.S. government to undertake a massive relief effort in Haiti.
On Wednesday night the president received a comprehensive briefing from each of the agencies involved in the Haiti operation, including the State, Defense and Homeland Security departments. Officials have been scrambling to overcome significant logistical hurdles to the operation.
According to the report, distributed internally after the White House meeting, the airport at Port-au-Prince is now able to conduct round-the clock operations, after repairs to its quake-damaged control tower led by the Pentagon’s Southern Command. U.S. teams have set up a reception center for disaster relief personnel now entering the country.