Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

72 is the new official number of victims that have been rescued from the rubble in Haiti, U.S. officials told reporters Tuesday. Of these, 40 were rescued by American search and rescue teams.

43 international urban search and rescue teams are still searching Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas for survivors that are trapped in the aftermath of last week’s earthquake.

Major General Dan Allyn, Deputy Joint Task Force Commander, said that nearly 2,000 more American soldiers are on their way to assist in areas west of Port-au-Prince, which have seen limited amounts of help since last week's earthquake. Allyn also said that 4,000 pounds of food and water are on their way, along with the USNS Comfort, a naval ship with full medical capabilities.

“We will continue to do that to expand our reach and reduce the suffering for the people of Haiti,” Allyn said.

Tim Callaghan, a leader for the Disaster Assistance Response Team, stressed that “non-food items” are continuing to make their way to Haiti via military aircraft. Some of the “non-food” items specified include: water containers, plastic tarps for makeshift shelters, mobile water treatment facilities and World Health Organization medical kits.

Callaghan said that the Haitian government is prioritizing the distribution of these relief items to areas they believe are in most need.