MOFA explores Haiti aid delivery

The government is exploring various methods of delivering aid to Haiti such as using Air Force C-130 carriers, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) said yesterday, adding that rescue teams were still searching for the missing Taiwanese girl who was reportedly buried under rubble on Tuesday.

Yang said rescue teams had not given up hope of finding the girl.

The ministry expressed regret for misinforming the public on Wednesday when it said she had died in the quake.

Taiwan yesterday increased the amount of pledged financial aid to Haiti to US$5 million, on top of supplies such as food, water and medical supplies. The first search and ­Taiwanese rescue team departed for Haiti from the Dominican Republic on Tuesday night and another team of 33 rescue workers from local charity groups and the Taipei City Fire Agency was scheduled to leave last night.

The earlier team could not enter Haiti when it first arrived because of bad road conditions. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Deputy Spokesman James Chang (章計平) said the team was to make a second attempt yesterday morning because Port-au-Prince airport is only functional during the day.

Yang confirmed that the option of using C-130 planes to transfer supplies to Haiti is being ­considered, but said it could present some difficulties. The easier option would be to rely on commercial or cargo airliners, he said.

Ambassador to Haiti Hsu Mien-sheng (徐勉生) broke his left leg during the temblor, while Consul Chi Wang-teh (齊王德) sustained head injuries, facial lacerations, a broken rib and some chest and back injuries.

Both men were sent to Santo Domingo for medical attention after they were dug out of the debris. They were trapped for six hours before the rescue team discovered them, the ministry said.

Chi underwent minor cosmetic surgery to his face and both men are now in good condition, the ministry said.

In an interview with Taiwanese cable network CTV, Hsu said the doctor told him he needed to remain hospitalized for at least two or three days, but he wished to return to his post as soon as possible.

The two-story Republic of China embassy in the Haitian capital was largely destroyed by the 7.0 magnitude quake, the foreign ministry said. All staffers except for Hsu and Wang were unharmed by the quake.

Hsu said the embassy and families of embassy staff usually have a week’s-worth of drinking water and food stored.