More than 470 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have departed quake-struck Haiti leaving about 9 000 US troops behind. During their mission, the soldiers assisted non-governmental organisations with the distribution of food rations.  Thousands of Haitians lost their homes following the January 12 quake and are now living in camps, relying on food aid to survive. 

Specialist of the 82nd Airborne Division, Jason Levy said working in post-quake Haiti was a sobering experience. "Seeing people unite to overcome devastation on this level is always inspiring. It is sobering at the same time, makes me realise what I have in the United States that sometimes myself and others take for granted. But it's definitely one of the most worthwhile experience I ever had," Levy said.

Others were simply looking forward to going home. Nepalese and Jordanian forces and the Catholic Relief Services have taken over from the 82nd Airborne Division in key areas and have assumed responsibility of distribution points vacated by the US troops, US Southern Command said.

Humanitarian relief

At the peak of the disaster, the US had approximately 20 000 troops on land and at sea in Haiti. The UN police and military force has a mandate to provide security in Haiti, but US and other foreign troops took over humanitarian security after the magnitude 7.0 quake on January 12. The UN will take over humanitarian relief in a "phased" way as the foreign troops depart.

US paratroopers deployed to Haiti on January 16 and distributed more than 11909 litres of water, 370 172 meals, and provided medical care for more than 1 600 patients during the deployment, US Southern Command said. The American hospital ship USNS Comfort also left overnight (March 9-10). Government planners and international experts are racing to produce a blueprint this week to reconstruct Haiti's economy after the earthquake. – Reuters