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DOD Continues Aiding Haitians Following Earthquake, Tropical Storm

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The U.S. military has flown 560 sorties to Haiti, providing rapid logistical and airlift support, including delivery of more than 348,000 pounds of aid, the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations said.

Army Maj. Gen. William D. "Hank" Taylor spoke on this and other topics during a press briefing this morning.

A service member takes a baby from another.
Special Delivery
Joint Task Force-Haiti personnel provide aid to Haitian citizens as part of the U.S. military's support to earthquake relief in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 20, 2021.
Photo By: Special Operations Command South photo
VIRIN: 210820-D-BS728-462A

The humanitarian assistance operation comes in the wake of two natural disasters that recently hit the Caribbean island.

First, on Aug. 14, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the southwest area of Haiti, causing widespread damage, killing over 2,000, and injuring many more.

Haiti also took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Grace on Aug. 16, resulting in flooding and compounding the damage from the earthquake. 

A service member and several civilians tend to a person in a stretcher on the ground.
First Aid
Sgt. Amberlynn Hinckley assists members of a disaster assistance response team while performing first aid on a resident of the La Flandre community in Haiti, Aug. 22, 2021. Puerto Rico Army National Guardsmen have been assisting in the aid relief efforts in Haiti since Aug. 17.
Photo By: Puerto Rico Army National Guard Sgt. Agustin Montanez
VIRIN: 210822-Z-XG945-0008A

Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Hoffman, a Defense Department spokesman, said that as of this morning, the Joint Task Force Haiti team has saved or assisted in saving more than 475 lives. The JTF is composed of personnel, equipment, ships and aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard.

The U.S. military "has been working around the clock to save lives and deliver aid since Aug. 14," and will continue with that mission, supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, as well as working with international partners and allies to provide life-saving aid and assistance to the people of Haiti, Hoffman said.

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