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DHS Response to the Earthquake in Haiti

Within hours of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti last week, DHS began mobilizing its resources to support the international response effort. The U.S. Coast Guard deployed the first asset to Haiti, with the Coast Guard Cutter Forward and its crew arriving the morning after the earthquake struck. The U.S. government continues to expand and secure our distribution network in Haiti to deliver more aid to the Haitian people. At the request of the Haitian government, the U.S. continues to coordinate America’s relief efforts with the United Nations and the international community. We are coordinating closely with more than 30 nations and hundreds of NGOs to deliver food and water quickly throughout the country.

As part of our efforts, Secretary Napolitano has announced two initiatives to help in the humanitarian response. The first, announced on Friday, Jan. 15, extends Temporary Protective Status to Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of Jan. 12. Eligible Haitians covered by the policy will be allowed to continue living and working in our country for the next 18 months. Second, the Secretary announced on Jan. 18 a policy granting humanitarian parole to certain orphaned children from Haiti to enter the United States temporarily on a case-by-case basis to ensure that they receive the care they need.

DHS support continues with the Secretary’s temporary activation on Jan. 19 of up to 900 reserve Coast Guard service men and women to assist U.S. aid efforts currently underway in Haiti. Five Coast Guard cutters are operating in Haiti to support military air traffic control, conduct damage assessments, rescue people in need of assistance, provide medical and security support, and importantly, help open Haiti’s ports. The Coast Guard is updating its visual imagery site daily with photos and video of their efforts in Haiti