Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Obama on Haiti; Stories of Hope in Haiti; Haitian Inmates Roam the Streets After Prison is Destroyed in the Quake; Haitian Police Calling on the International Community for Help
Aired January 14, 2010 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: You know, throughout the morning and throughout all of our coverage of when the earthquake hit Haiti we've been trying to bring you the stories of hope as well. And we have just now gotten a very good one in.
And is brand new video coming our way and we are learning that the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force out of Fairfax, Virginia -- we've been telling you about these guys, they were able to rescue that man. We're trying to get more information.
I know Josh Levs is standing by with more on this.
Josh, these are the guys that have so much experience. We were covering them a little bit yesterday. I know they brought in six dogs. They have been involved in many other natural disasters and are now in Haiti and have had some success this morning.
LEVS: And as I understand -- and correct me if I'm wrong -- we're looking at video of this group working at U.N. headquarters. We understand that they -- this is at U.N. headquarters, Heidi. So the number one thing we've been hearing from our people on the ground and officials is that we need crews there. You need crews with the power and the equipment to pull up the information -- rather to pull up these huge slabs of concrete that have fallen altogether.
So what we have here are -- there are several crews from the United States. There are three crews that have been working their way to Haiti, getting there as fast as they could along with the equipment to lift up these massive slabs of concrete and everything else that was there.
We can take it again from the top. Let's go straight to it. What we're seeing here is this group from Fairfax. Let's listen into it.
You can see here basically what's happening is we knew there were people and there still are. There continue to be people inside U.N. headquarters who have been trapped under rubble. The U.N. has said it could have been one of the worst days in its history in recent years. Obviously there are a lot of lives at stake right there.
It's not the kind of thing that people just on their own can come along and pull up the stuff. This is what we keep hearing. You need the power and the equipment to lift up the concrete that's there. So we have this group now from Fairfax. You're well familiar with them.
They, as we can see, have managed to rescue one person. We also know there are other crews on the way to various sites in Haiti, including the U.N. headquarters and their goal there is to get up everything that they possibly can. This is still a rescue mission.
Let's listen in.
No, OK. We'll listen to it a little bit later. Obviously what we're doing -- you can see right here I'm at the CNN International Desk and we're seeing the video as it comes in right now.
COLLINS: Yes.
LEVS: In fact if we have another second I'll show you one more thing that's also helpful and that is from the U.S. southern command, another agency you're very much familiar with, Heidi, part of the U.S. military, arriving with some supplies. They have begun to send out photos of this. So you have on various fronts right now, you have some agencies that are managing to make it to the scene. This is very good news.
This right here, the arrival of supplies and the video we were just looking at, this group from Fairfax arriving in Haiti and rescuing a life here. This is exactly what we want to see more of throughout the day. You want as many individual crews as possible somehow making it to these sites in which it is known there's a large number of bodies, a large number of people who were trapped.
Clearly this is the beginning, a trickle of good news. Let's listen in a little bit more here. OK. OK, I understand. This is coming into us live right now and we're not getting sound on this one but we do know they have come with all of the equipment they can get. We also know that, Heidi, this is just the very beginning of what's going to be a lot more. There are three crews from the United States, they're on their way. Also crews from elsewhere in the world that are coming to add their resources. More and more and more of this, hopefully throughout the day we'll be seeing more cases like that one man that was just saved.
COLLINS: Yes. No question about it. Josh, thanks for that. Sure do appreciate it.
LEVS: Thank you.
COLLINS: You know, I'm just now being told we want to go ahead and stay with this video to give you a better idea at home of exactly what is going on in these critical hours of search and rescue. Again, this video coming our way from one of the best, the teams from Fairfax County in Virginia. All of their search dogs highly, highly trained. Of course the men and women of this task force as well highly trained and have been to many a natural disaster.
We just witnessed moments ago the success of their efforts. One man being pulled from the rubble. We are working to find out who he is and what his story is, of course, and will bring that to you just as soon as we get it. But for now we just want to continue to show these pictures to you because many challenges this morning in the face of a search and rescue effort. Most of them are just plain how to get the incredibly heavy debris off of people who are potentially trapped underneath.
Lots of times you imagine it would take heavy machinery in order to do that and that is something that is lacking, at least at this very moment. Of course, we're hearing a lot of reports of different military organizations that are coming in with the equipment that they use and use so well in terrain like this and obviously you've got to have the training to be able to operate that machinery as well.
So not only are we talking about the challenges in getting food and water to people who are trapped and people who are homeless on the streets right now, but you're witnessing one of those other very, very strong challenges this morning, and that is the debris. Look at that. These buildings just completely demolished, as we've been showing you. Now you're seeing the workers trying to do their best to clear some of that debris, making some markings on the buildings right now and trying to let other aid workers know what has been cleared, what has not, what the urgency is of each one of these buildings that they're able to reach.
Obviously incredible video that we're seeing as these workers do their jobs. In fact the grim scene on the ground in Port-au-Prince as the newly homeless share their space now with many other people out on the streets. Our Susan Candiotti is standing by with a little bit more on how exactly people are feeling and how they are trying to get the basic necessities.
Susan, if you can hear me, I know that you've had the opportunity to see at least a small group of people get a hold of water and what an incredible sight that must have been for you.
SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was. In fact the hose disappeared for a while but it is back again and people are again taking a hose that is being extended from the hotel where we're staying and it's stretching down to the street and people are using that water to fill up any kind of receptacle they can find. They got milk jug bottles cut in half, they have got old bottles like that that they're using, individual water bottles. Even someone from the place is now tossing water bottles over the side as well to help.
And then what are they doing? They're either drinking it right away and then trying to get another refill if they can. Some people are using it to wash their face, bringing along tooth brushes to brush their teeth, to do whatever they can. And not only that, the need for water, there is a need for food. We saw time again people rubbing their stomachs saying they're hungry, making that motion. And then there is the need for shelter.
Over my shoulder is the main plaza that was filled with thousands of people last night, mostly in the dark with the light of only one streetlight to help them out. But they were talking and chanting and praying throughout the evening, asking and pleading for help. And now in the light of day, as you can make out over my shoulder, you can see some makeshift tents and lean-tos that they're setting up.
COLLINS: Actually, Susan, I'm not sure if you can hear me but cannot make that out. Maybe we could get a full shot here of what you're talking about because on the other side of the screen what we're watching actually, just so you know, is the search and rescue efforts that are going on with the Fairfax County, Virginia, guys with their search dogs and so forth going through some rubble. So if you could show us what we're seeing behind you that will help a lot.
CANDIOTTI: All right. I'm going to ask Scott, who is our videographer here, to zoom past me and do the best you can to show you the scene in this plaza right now. And here you have people setting up lean-tos, makeshift tents in essence, to shade themselves from the sun that is just beating down here. Very high heat always here in Haiti. It's very, very hot. And you also have people, we saw a man selling sandals. I mean there is some commerce going on or an attempt at it anyway.
And we have the famous tap-taps going by. These are the busses that people use to transport back and forth and up and down the street. But mainly what you see as you drive around, not in this very close little frame of reference that you have now, but there are stone walls that have collapsed, there are homes that have collapsed everywhere, there are bodies lying in the street. We see people even passing us by here, a procession in effect of someone carrying a wooden coffin. Another man who had a body covered by a sheet in a wheelbarrow.
So all kinds of sights and sounds at this hour as people are waiting to find out what kind of help they're going to get to help dig out the victims and family members they're still looking for as well as to get that relief in. Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, unbelievable, Susan. I know it's a very, very tough story to cover, but we so appreciate the work that you and our other correspondents are doing out there bringing the pictures to us the best that we certainly can. Susan Candiotti for us from Port-au- Prince. Thanks so much, Susan.
Back to this video that we've been watching, compelling video, in fact, from the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force from Fairfax County, Virginia, certainly very well trained. This task force, they're at the U.N. headquarters right now. We've been watching them sort of go through the rubble here and make notations on these buildings using their dogs that are obviously very well trained.
One of the things they have to watch out for, of course, is those dogs. They got to make sure that they're not put in danger either because clearly then they wouldn't be able to do their jobs and, boy, they are very much needed at this point.
Yesterday, Josh Levs joining me now.
LEVS: Yes.
COLLINS: Josh, I know yesterday they went in with six dogs. We're certainly hoping that more will come, so vitally important to a rescue effort like this.
LEVS: That's right, Heidi. You know I you're really familiar with this group and I've just been looking at more from the web site, too. And this group was established in 1986 as a domestic and international disaster response resource. And as we know it's out of Fairfax. They have about 200 specially trained career and volunteer rescue personnel.
So they have a lot of experience. This is a specific group that not only goes around to the United States but reaches out to other countries and goes into all sorts of disasters. So what we do here about how this one is different, what we do hear about the extreme challenges going on in Haiti right now and we can see in the video, another reminder of some of the video that we've been getting about how tough this can be, we understand that there are some of the most experienced people in the world making their way to Haiti.
And part of what's so significant, folks, about what you're seeing right now, the arrival of this first crew from the United States, one of these three crews from the U.S. that's been heading right there is these years of expertise, the years of training and everything they have ever learned now they're going to pull together into what is a massive, massive challenge dealing with huge, miles- long stretches of devastation.
Very little equipment. Blocked roads. Difficulty getting people basics like food, water and medicine and yet the basic need to arrive there as fast as possible to get as many people up alive as they can. Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, there's no question about it. Josh, as we continue to look at these pictures, new video coming into CNN, President Barack Obama, I understand is walking to the podium. More comments on Haiti today. Let's go ahead and go to him.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning, everybody. I've directed my administration to launch a swift, coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives and support the recovery in Haiti. The losses that have been suffered in Haiti are nothing less than devastating. And responding to a disaster of this magnitude will require every element of our national capacity.
Our diplomacy and development assistance, the power of our military and most importantly, the compassion of our country. And this morning I'm joined by several members of my national security team who are leading this coordinated response. I've made it clear to each of these leaders that Haiti must be a top priority for their departments and agencies right now.
This is one of those moments that calls out for American leadership. For the sake of our citizens, who are in Haiti, for the sake of the Haitian people who have suffered so much and for the sake of our common humanity, we stand in solidarity with our neighbors to the south, knowing that but for the grace of god there we go.
This morning I can report that the first waves of our rescue and relief workers are on the ground and at work. The survey team worked overnight to identify priority areas for assistance and shared the results of that review throughout the United States government and with international partners who are also sending support.
Search and rescue teams are actively working to save lives. Our military has secured the airport and prepared it to receive the heavy equipment and resources that are on the way and to receive them around the clock, 24 hours a day. An airlift has been set up to deliver high priority items like water and medicine and we're coordinating closely with the Haitian government, the United Nations and other countries who are also on the ground.
We have no higher priority than the safety of American citizens and we've airlifted injured Americans out of Haiti. We're running additional evacuations and will continue to do so in the days ahead. I know that many Americans, especially Haitian-Americans are desperate for information about their family and friends and the State Department has set up a phone number and e-mail address that you can find at www.state.gov to inquire about your loved ones.
You should know that we will not rest until we account for our fellow Americans in harm's way. Even as we move as quickly as possible, it will take hours and in many cases days, to get all of our people and resources on the ground. Right now in Haiti, roads are impassable, the main port is badly damaged, communications are just beginning to come online and aftershocks continue.
None of this will seem quick enough if you have a loved one who's trapped, if you're sleeping on the streets, if you can't feed your children. But it's important that everybody in Haiti understand at this very moment one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history is moving towards Haiti. More American search and rescue teams are coming, more food, more water, doctors, nurses, paramedics, more of the people, equipment and capabilities that can make the difference between life and death.
The United States Armed Forces are also on their way to support this effort. Several Coast Guard cutters are already there providing everything from basic services like water to vital technical support for this massive logistical operation. Elements of the Army's 82nd airborne division will arrive today. We're also deploying a marine expeditionary unit, the aircraft carrier "USS Carl Vinson" and the Navy's hospital ship, the Comfort.
And today I'm also announcing an immediate investment of $100 million to support our relief efforts. This will mean more of the life-saving equipment, food, water and medicine that will be needed. This investment will grow over the coming year as we embark on the long-term recovery from this unimaginable tragedy.
The United States of America will also forge the partnerships that this undertaking demands. We will partner with the Haitian people and that includes the government of Haiti, which needs our support as they recover from the devastation of this earthquake. It also includes the many Haitian Americans who are determined to help their friends and family. And I've asked Vice President Biden to meet in South Florida this weekend with members of the Haitian American community and with responders who are mobilizing to help the Haitian people.
We will partner with the United Nations and its dedicated personnel and peacekeepers, especially those from Brazil who are already on the ground due to their outstanding peace keeping efforts there. I want to say that our hearts go out to the United Nations, which has experienced one of the greatest losses in its history. We have no doubt that we can carry on the work that was done by so many of the U.N. effort that have been lost and we see their legacy is Haiti's hope for the future.
We will partner with other nations and organizations and that's why I've been reaching out to leaders from across the Americas and beyond who are sending resources to support this effort. And we will join with the strong network of non-governmental organizations across the country who understand the daily struggles of the Haitian people. Yet even as we bring our resources to bear on this emergency, we need to summon the tremendous generosity and compassion of the American people.
I want to thank the many Americans who have already contributed to this effort. I want to encourage all Americans who want to help to go to whitehouse.gov to learn more. In the days ahead we will continue to work with those individuals and organizations who want to assist this effort so that you can do so.
Finally I want to speak directly to the people of Haiti. Few in the world have endured the hardships that you have known, long before this tragedy daily life itself was often a bitter struggle. And after suffering so much for so long to face this new horror must cause some to look up and ask have we somehow been forsaken.
To the people of Haiti, we say clearly and with conviction, you will not be forsaken, you will not be forgotten. In this, your hour of greatest need, America stands with you. The world stands with you. We know that you are a strong and resilient people. You have endured a history of slavery and struggle, of natural disaster and recovery and through it all your spirit has been unbroken and your faith has been unwavering. So today you must know that help is arriving. Much, much more help is on the way. Thank you very much, everybody.
COLLINS: All right. President Barack Obama making a second round of comments regarding the situation in Haiti and the earthquake there.
Ed Henry is standing by to talk a little bit more about this. So Ed, it is a rare scene to see - let's go through the list. We had the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, we have the defense secretary, we had the vice president, we had the secretary of state, the director of Homeland Security, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and also the gentleman who he has tapped to get together this incredible effort, the unified coordinator there.
It is an unusual sight to see all of them together flanking the president there. Also this $100 million in aid. The two of those things put together really gives you an idea of the priority here for the United States.
ED HENRY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi. I think clearly a show of force. Symbolically as you laid out, the array of officials there, the president clearly trying to send the signal not just to the United States, the American people, but the world and he even addressed the Haitian people directly, that across the entire U.S. government from the defense department, state department, et cetera, they are aggressively pushing to help the people of Haiti.
Significant because we were already starting to hear the criticism dribble out last night, early this morning. There's been these promises from the U.S. but why haven't there been more boots on the ground. The media has been there for a day, day and a half. Not enough had gotten there. I had just spoken to Valerie Jarrett earlier this morning about it and said it's a logistical challenge. We're doing all we can and when the president comes out there, a show of force as well with the details.
You mentioned $100 million in aid and counting. The president promising there will be more than that. Then laying out the search and rescue teams, all the various things coming in there. You have to keep in mind when you talk to top White House aides here, they say that Hurricane Katrina is in the back of everyone's minds. Even though this is technically not on U.S. soil, a much different situation, it's still similar in terms of the gravity of the human tragedy of this.
And this administration sees it essentially as its first real test on a natural disaster. Haiti being a neighbor. The president saying, look, even though essentially it's not U.S. soil, America is called to step up here. So they're seeing it as a test and they want to make sure they pass that test and try to save as many lives as they can. Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, America always called to step up, certainly, in the history of world regarding natural disaster and other issues. I wonder, Ed, if there's much talk about other countries and how they are stepping in. We have certainly heard more information even this morning about other countries as well.
HENRY: Well, absolutely, from the United Kingdom, various U.S. allies, of course, stepping up. The president was on the phone yesterday, other allies in the hemisphere, the Canadian prime minister, Steven Harper, as well as Mexican President Calderon to try to get their support as well. We're also hearing from officials that former President Bush, George W. Bush as well as former President Clinton who's been on our air waves in the last 24 hours, they're also going to be pitching in and helping this White House.
So they are trying at all levels to try to move as quickly as possible because we keep getting from our own reporting that's so dramatic on the scene about people who are still struggling to survive, who are underneath the rubble. That's why these search and rescue efforts are so, so critical, Heidi. COLLINS: No doubt about it. Unfortunately, Ed, that clock just continues to tick. Ed Henry for us at the White House this morning. Thanks, Ed.
A call for help. The people in Haiti in need of so much right now. Major corporations are stepping up, doing what they can to aid those relief efforts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Corporate America contributing millions of dollars to the relief effort in Haiti as well as providing some badly needed goods and services. Stephanie Elam is following this part of the story for us from New York this morning. Stephanie, if you can, tell us who we're talking about here and what they're able to offer.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Heidi. It's encouraging to see that people are reacting so quickly. It's a long and growing list of U.S. companies pledging donations to the relief effort. And these are just some of them. But let's go ahead and start with the companies that have all pledged at least $1 million. You've got Bank of America, U.P.S., Abbott Laboratories, Lowe's, the home improvement store, and Coca-cola. Coke is also sending over bottled water from its facility in the Dominican Republic.
Now, other notable donors include Wal-Mart, which is donating $500,000 plus another $100,000 in food kits, the New York Yankees are giving half a million dollars, same goes of godaddy.com. Kellogg's and Western Union are each donating a quarter of a million dollars. Western Union also says it will waive all fees for wire transfers from the U.S., Canada and France to Haiti for seven days after it gets service up and running again in the devastated nation. Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. Stephanie, so that brings up a good point. What are some of these companies doing now to make it easier for private citizens to go ahead and donate? Because lots of times in terrible disasters like this, people are watching us and they say, OK, what can I really do. How do I know that money that I would like to give right now is going to actually get to the relief effort?
ELAM: That is so true. When you see the images that are coming out of Haiti that our colleagues have been able to bring back to us, it's really hard not to be moved and want to help out. So for those people, here is what we can tell you. A number of companies are matching employee donations. In addition to the $1 million it's giving, Bank of America will also match all employee donations to the relief effort. And it has not put a limit on the amount of total money it will donate.
Also CNN's parent company, Time Warner will match employee donations up to $500,000. Kellogg's and Western Union are also matching employee donations. Other companies are offering incentives for giving. American Airlines will give 250 bonus miles to customers who donate more than $50 and 500 miles to those giving over $100. American also sent planes loaded with supplies to Port-au-Prince yesterday. And more flights are planned for today.
Finally, also companies including AT&T and amazon.com, they are using the internet and mobile phone networks to help people help Haiti basically. It's estimated that over $2 million have been given through text messaging already and that number obviously continues to grow as we watch it. Corporate giving is great but private sector donations really do play a huge role in these type of recovery efforts.
The American people actually gave $2 billion after the tsunami in 2004 and over $6 billion after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the Gulf Coast. But Heidi, one thing I have to say, one warning here, no matter how anyone plans to give, just make sure that the charity is legit. Unbelievably even in times like there are people who will prey on people's good hearts. So just make sure you are giving to an appropriate manner so you don't get taken.
COLLINS: Yes, very, very upsetting to hear that. But it always seems to happen. We'll focus on the people who are giving.
ELAM: Yes, that's true.
COLLINS: And the money that is getting where it's needed the most.
ELAM: Right.
COLLINS: Stephanie, thank you.
I want to give you some important information now with regard to all of this. CNN is the place to be for updates, of course, on the Haiti earthquake and relief efforts. Log on to our web site at cnn.com/impactyourworld. There you will find a list of agencies providing agency relief. You'll also see a find your loved ones module with the State Department's toll free number and a link to the I-report looking for loved ones photo gallery.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: I want to take a moment to check our top stories now. CNN has learned U.S. officials are closely monitoring what they all a credible threat from Al Qaeda in Yemen. American intelligence officials say the threat is not specific. One official says it seems the terrorist group is already adapting to the new U.S. security measures.
The music world remembering R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass. Pendergrass died yesterday at a Philadelphia hospital. You may remember his soulful songs like "Turn Off the Lights" and "Love TKO." His son said Pendergrass had colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had a very difficult recovery. In 1982, a car crash left Pendergrass paralyzed for life. Teddy Pendergrass was 59.
The battle against financial wrongdoing. It is day two of a hearing exploring the roots of the financial crisis. Live pictures for you coming into us here. Sheila Bair there. Attorney General Eric Holder told members of the bipartisan panel, the Justice Department is using every tool at its disposal to fight the kinds of activities that contributed to the financial meltdown. Head of the FDIC, Sheila Bair, as we said also among those testifying, of course.
Touring the devastation in Haiti, finding death around almost every corner. Crumbled homes punctuating broken lives.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Horrific scenes at every turn in Haiti. That's what life is like now for the people in Haiti's capital city of Port-au- Prince. Looking on as crews search for survivors while basically just stepping over the dead. CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right here in downtown Port-Au-Prince is where we see all of the ramifications of what we've been talking about for the last day. Buildings like this completely crumbled, and as you might imagine, lots of people devastated and have died as a result of that.
I mean, there are just bodies lying in the streets. This is what people have been talking about. I did not think that I would see what I am showing you right now. It's a dead body right here. And then if you look over here, it's just even worse. Maybe you can possibly imagine. Twenty-five more bodies.
People standing around feeling completely helpless, perhaps hopeless as well. I have never -- as a doctor, as a journalist who's traveled around the world, I've never seen anything quite like this. It's just astonishing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: If you would like to help with earthquake relief, just log on to our Web site, CNN.com/impactyourworld. You'll find a list of several agencies providing emergency relief and accepting donations.
A Miami woman desperate to hear from her mother in Haiti. We'll have her story coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Just minutes ago, we heard from President Obama about the situation in Haiti. Here are the highlights now from those comments. Plus what's happening right now in the devastated nation. President Obama announced an immediate investment of $100 million for Haiti's recovery, which he says will grow in the coming days. Officials fear the death toll could climb above 100,000. But in Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said this morning it's just too early to estimate the number of deaths.
And more planes are expected to land at Port-au-Prince airport today as a number of nations send doctors, supplies and rescuers. In fact, we are following the very latest developments minute-by-minute here at CNN and our State Department correspondent, Jill Dougherty, has more that's just come her way from a briefing. Jill, what do you have?
JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Right. Just an update from P.J. Crowley, the spokesman for the State Department, on Americans. He is confirming that the United States now has its first confirmed American fatality. That person's identity has not been revealed. They are talking with the family to notify them first.
But it is the first American officially confirmed to have died in the earthquake. And as Mr. Crowley said, we are sure that we will have more.
Another update also on the Americans, they have evacuated 160- plus in the last 24 hours. They went out on C-130 Coast Guard transport planes. And also on an Icelandic airplane, and that is because these flights are coming in with supplies and they go out empty, so they actually took some Americans out on that Icelandic air as well.
So, 160 out. There are 370 Americans registered to depart today, and they will be going out on other transports and planes. Presumably many of them to the Dominican Republic.
And then finally, Americans who were on the ground there, we've been reporting on what they should be doing. The State Department now is saying if you can establish communication with the embassy, and it's still hard because the hard lines are down, cells are very difficult, but if you can, get in touch. They will establish what your welfare is, your needs are and what your plans are.
In other words, would those Americans want to get out. And then, if they can't establish communication with the embassy, they could actually come to the embassy or go to the airport. There are teams, staff that would help them to evaluate what can be done. Heidi.
COLLINS; Boy, valuable information, even though it seems just crazy to think that you'd actually be able to talk with anyone in Haiti from the U.S. right now because of everything that's happening.
Jill, we're hearing so many stories of people wanting information like this, so we sure do appreciate it. Jill Dougherty at the State Department this morning.
In fact, we're going to talk with one of those people right now. A lot of people in the U.S. very desperate for news about their loved ones in Haiti. One woman in south Florida living that exact nightmare right now. Her mother was in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday when the earthquake hit. She's not been heard from since.
Joining me now from Miami is Michealle Titus (ph). Mikael, thank you so much for taking the time to come and talk with us today. I know that your mom spends half the year in Haiti, but is an American citizen, correct? MICHEALLE TITUS (ph), MOTHER MISSING IN HAITI: Correct.
COLLINS: Go ahead. Tell us a little bit more.
TITUS: She is an American citizen. Well, she normally visits Haiti every now and then, visiting family and friends. But, you know, she always does make the time to come back.
So, this time she went since last year, and she was scheduled to come back January 30th, but she did call my dad to change the flights to January 30th. She was supposed to come back December 30th, but she did call my dad to change the flight to January 30th. She was supposed to come back December 30, but she changed her flight.
So, now we're just very worried about her. It's myself and my three other sisters. We miss her very, very much. We have tried everything to get in contact with her through Facebook, e-mail, texting, phone calls -- everything we've tried and we have not heard anything back from her...
COLLINS: Michealle, we are having an opportunity -- I know you can't see this -- but to put a bunch of beautiful pictures of her and your other family members up on the screen right now so that her face is out there. But do me a favor and go ahead and tell us her name. It's a French pronunciation, so I'm not going to attempt. But I'd like for you to say her name.
TITUS: OK. Her name is Raymond Guland (ph). She lives here, but she has a home in Haiti. In Port-au-Prince, 64 Rue La Perre, in Carfu (ph), and that's where she's at...
COLLINS: Can you tell us anything about the structure of the home? I mean, is it most likely given the time when the quake hit, that she was in that home and is that stable construction?
TITUS: The home, of course, it's as stable as possible. It's made of concrete. So, we're hoping that it did withstand it, but of course there's no guarantee that that happened, so...
COLLINS: Right. Listen, I know that your faith is very strong. Your father is a pastor. I know it's very difficult on him. Tell us a little bit more about what you're being told. We were just talking with our State Department correspondent, I'm hoping that you heard, that because there are a lot of people out there who have questions about their loved ones and now being told to contact the embassy there in Haiti or to possibly go to the embassy, go to the airport. Do you or anyone in the family have plans to try to get to Haiti?
TITUS: Well, right now all we're hearing, it's not safe to travel there. My husband is making plans to actually go there next week with a couple of friends not only to try to get, you know, word of my mom, but to try to help out with whatever situation they possibly can.
But our hope is that we'll hear from her before then. I'm hoping that this will help as well. Being on here. Her picture being shown and things like that, someone will contact us.
COLLINS: Absolutely. We, of course, wish you the very best. Our thoughts and prayers in looking for your mother today.
TITUS: Thank you.
COLLINS: Michealle Titus, thanks so much for your story.
TITUS: Thank you so much on having us on, and we'll continue praying.
COLLINS: All right. And you'll keep in touch with us. We so appreciate that.
TITUS: We will.
COLLINS; Once again, there's a lot of news out there to be covering. We will follow all of it for you right here on CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Of course, we do continue to follow all of the developments out of Haiti, but have other stories to tell you about this morning as well.
A 10-year-old Arizona boy who fatally shot his father's friend is set to be sentenced today. Defense attorneys and prosecutors are pushing for the boy to be placed in a residential treatment program. The boy was eight when he was charged with the shooting.
Two Russian cosmonauts are taking a walk in space today, and they have some work to do. They're trying to activate a new segment of the International Space Station that will allow Russian spacecraft to dock. The walk was expected to last nearly six hours. Two Americans and a Japanese astronaut are doing support work inside the Space Station.
The threat of losing your home. Almost three million homeowners received at least one foreclosure filing last year, setting a new record for the number of people falling behind on their mortgage payments. RealtyTrac reported one in 45 households were in default. That's 21 percent more than in 2008.
Going to Haiti to find life. A southern California urban search- and-rescue team dispatched to the Caribbean nation. Their assignment: find earthquake survivors buried under mounds of concrete and debris. The team of firefighters, paramedics, doctors, search dogs and heavy equipment specialists is one of only two in the U.S.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
INSPECTOR FREDERIC STOWERS, L.A. COUNTY FIRE DEPT.: We plan on being self-sufficient. Inside these bins and bags are specialized equipment. There's search cams, there are jack hammers, there are saws, there is all type of specialized equipment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: This is the first time ever that the entire 72-member unit has been deployed for a single operation.
Canada also mobilizing its military to help in Haiti. They have a disaster response team in the air right now headed for Port-au- Prince. They're bringing in medical supplies and a mobile hospital. There's also food, water and a much-needed helicopter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LT. COL. DAVE MURPHY: We need the helicopters with the search and rescue capabilities to get in there, search for survivors and help the humanitarian manner the best we can. So, we believe the search and rescue to start off with is the more immediate requirement down in Haiti.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Canada has more helicopters on the way with more humanitarian supplies. They're on two Navy ships headed to Haiti as we speak.
CNN is the place to be for updates on the Haiti earthquake and relief efforts. Just log on to our Web site at CNN.com/impactyourworld.
One of the first search-and-rescue teams from the United States is on the ground in Haiti and already, the Fairfax County, Virginia, rescuers have reason to smile.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Earlier this hour, we saw a welcome sight in Haiti, the arrival of a crew from the United States trained to search for survivors.
And Josh Levs joining us again to talk a little bit more about this video that we've been showing, josh. Some good news. You know what, we'll take it.
JOSH LEVS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We'll take it, yes, we'll take what we can get.
There is a man according to this group, a man has been pulled from the rubble. I can actually tell you who he is. Let's go straight to the video and we'll see what we've been seeing. This is a group that's the Virginia Task Force International Urban Search and Rescue. And there he is.
This is the first U.S. crew to be operating on the ground inside Haiti in the wake of what happened. And this man, his name is Tarmo Joevier. He's an Estonian U.N. security officer. We don't know the specifics of what happened but he did go on to tell authorities that he had been in pain, that he had been trapped, he had lost his footing amid what had happened. We don't know how long he was there. We do know this is the video. I called the task force myself and said, "Tell me this man was trapped from underneath rubble." And they said yes, indeed he was.
Now, let me tell you some more about this group, too, that is on the ground. They have sent in this task force 72 personnel to Haiti. They have six search-and-rescue canines, they have search and technical rescue personnel, all sorts of specialists. They brought 48 tons of rescue equipment and supplies.
And I find this interesting. This is a group that's done a lot of international rescuing, Heidi. This group is self-sustaining for 14 days. So, for two full weeks without any supplies, without access to almost anything, they're able to get by. We have a sound bite from one of the rescuers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAM GRAY, FAIRFAX CO. URBAN SEARCH & RESCUE: It's the worst I've seen, and obviously it was pretty nice to be able to find somebody that we were able to help. Unfortunate that we couldn't get to everybody we can, but we're going to keep trying and keep working while we're here. This was the first of many people we hope to help over the next couple of weeks.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEVS: Just a reminder this is only the beginning. Follow me back here quickly, if you would. I'm at the CNN International Desk, and I want you to see this picture from SouthCom, U.S. Southern Command. This is them loading up supplies in Miami to bring to Haiti. Just another reminder, Heidi, that there are so many U.S. groups on the way to Haiti. It is certainly good to see something, that at least there is this little bit of good news, as you said, one man pulled from the rubble today.
COLLINS: Yes. No question. Hopefully we'll get a lot more of those pictures coming in. Because if we do, we of course will show them.
Josh Levs, thanks.
We'll take a quick break. We're back in a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: In the middle of all of the stories of death and devastation in Haiti, there is an amazing story of hope, determination and then rescue. CNN's Anderson Cooper reports from Port-au-Prince.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For many trapped in the rubble of downtown Port-au-Prince the struggle to live continues. (on camera): We've heard there may be somebody who's alive buried in there. People on the street say there's a 15-year-old who's buried alive there and that they're talking, but we're going to go and try to see if that's the case and if there's anything we can do.
But the street -- I've never seen anything like this. Look at this, it is just complete devastation. This is downtown Port-au- Prince, just a few blocks from the presidential palace, about a block from the National Cathedral which itself is pretty much destroyed.
(voice-over): Atop a pile of rubble that used to be a building, we find a small group of men who have been digging here for more than five hours to rescue a teenage girl. Her feet are the only part of her still visible.
(on camera): It's a 13-year-old girl who is trapped here. Her name is Bea (ph). She's clearly alive. You can hear her crying out. You can see two of her feet at this point. They've been able to...
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
COOPER: She's clearly in pain. They discovered her early this morning and it's now past 12:00, and they're still digging. It's not clear how they're going to get her out. They only have this one shovel. They don't have any heavy earth moving equipment.
They have to be very careful, though, because they're moving. They moved this big slab that seems to be on top of her, and that other stones, other pieces of cement could fall on her. So they're arguing over what to do next.
(voice-over): This brother can do anything, but he stands by listening to his sister's cries. This man says his father is also trapped in the building but is already dead.
"I don't have a father anymore," he cries. "Gone. Had I been in the house, I wouldn't be here anymore either." Worried more aftershocks may come and destroy the building even more, these family and friends work frantically. Finally, after being trapped for more than 18 hours, the men make a small hole and pull Bea (ph) out. She is alive. She is finally free.
(PEOPLE SPEAKING IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
COOPER: Did you think you would come out alive?
(voice-over): I felt that I would live, she says. I wasn't scared. I wasn't scared of anything. People were dying below me, I could hear them, but I wasn't scared. My heart didn't skip a beat.
I heard them crying, she says. I heard an old lady crying "God I'm dying," last night. I heard my aunt running, and a big block fell on her.
(on camrea): This man has lost four family members. He just showed me his wife's body which is under a shroud, and he's now worried about another family member who's an American, and he believes she is trapped inside that building as well. And he's pretty sure she's dead.
(voice-over): There's no telling how long it will be before he knows for sure just how many people he has lost.
This is just one building. This is just one block. Suffering here has just begun.
Anderson cooper, CNN, Port-au-Prince.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: And you can catch more of Anderson's coverage of the earthquake in Haiti. Tonight, "ANDERSON COOPER 360," live at 10 p.m. on CNN.
For now, I'm Heidi Collins. CNN NEWSROOM continues with Tony Harris.
