US sending 10,000 troops to earthquake-hit Haiti
January 15th, 2010 | 
Up to 10,000 US troops will be on the ground or off the coast of Haiti by Monday to help deal with the earthquake aid effort, US defence officials say.
The announcement came after US President Barack Obama pledged full American support in a phone call to his Haitian counterpart Rene Preval.
UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon said aid distribution had begun but logistics were extremely difficult.
Tuesday’s earthquake has left as many as 45,000-50,000 people dead.
Few aid supplies appear to be getting through to survivors, and correspondents cite increasing anger among the population.
Many are spending another day without food and shelter in the ruined capital.
‘Main priority’
The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm Mike Mullen, said a hospital ship and more helicopters would be sent in the coming days, and 9-10,000 troops would be in or off Haiti by Monday.
More detail at www.bbc.co.uk
