Doctors Without Borders Relief Plane Not Allowed Into Port-Au-Prince

January 17, 2010 11:41 a.m. EST

Topics: Earthquake, War and Unrest, World
Port-au-Prince, Haiti (AHN) - A Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cargo plane carry medical and other much-needed supplies was blocked from landing in Port-au-Prince Saturday, causing a delay in helping thousands who need surgeries and other medical attention.

The plane was rerouted to Samana in the Dominican Republic, causing a one-day delay at a time when every minute is precious in helping the earthquake-ravaged nation of Haiti.

A second plane is scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince Sunday, and if it is also blocked it will cause further delays in reaching out to many desperate people in need of assistance.

If allowed to land, an inflatible surgical hospital, with an intensive care unit and 100 beds, can be assembled almost immediately from all the supplies contained on the plane.

Currently only two fully functional medical theaters are operating in the city, making the situation extremely difficult to help all who need it.

Many other nations including France, Russia and Brazil and NGOs (non governmental organizations) have also complained that they have either, not been able to, or have been denied permission to land airplanes in Haiti.

Haitian airs-space has been under U.S. control since January 15, 2010.