Machete-wielding looters brought more terror to Haiti streets Friday as US troops arrived in the quake-ravaged nation to start streaming tons of aid to a traumatized people.
A vanguard of the 10,000 US troops being deployed to Haiti took control of the airport, clogged with tons of relief supplies, and began the first mass distributions of aid seeking to quell any threat of violence.
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"As long as the people are hungry and thirsty, as long as we haven't fixed the problem of shelter, we run the risk of riots," warned Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, after a visit to the capital Port-au-Prince.
Haitian officials said 50,000 people had been killed and 1.5 million left homeless in the Caribbean nation, one of the poorest countries in the world, which has long witnessed violence and bloodshed.
Desperate citizens tried to fill an apparent vacuum in the nation's leadership, as UN officials on the ground pleaded for more medical and food aid for survivors.
Citizens asked to organize committees to front looters
"Men suddenly appeared with machetes to steal money," said Evelyne Buino, a young beautician, after a long night in a neighborhood not far from the ruined city center. "This is just the beginning."
"Organize neighborhood committees to avoid chaos!" radio Metropole implored residents, "to prevent people looting shops and houses."
Officials have estimated that some three million people -- a third of the population -- was affected by the 7.0-magnitude quake.
"We really need to focus on the living, and what we can do for them," Nicholas Reader, spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told AFP at the capital's airport.
There were angry, chaotic scenes at the airport deluged by both incoming aid supplies and people frantic to leave, as US paratroopers struggled to maintain control.
And in hospitals, there were harrowing scenes of amputations and operations without anesthetics.
The US military was gearing up to deliver 600,000 packages of basic food rations and 100,000 ten-liter containers of water.
"On food, we already have mobilized and have en route 600,000 humanitarian daily rations," the head of the US Agency for International Development, Rajiv Shah told reporters.
Help slowly arrives, for some
It was among 48 million dollars worth of food aid which will start arriving along with Navy vessels such as the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson which docked early Friday in Port-au-Prince equipped with 19 helicopters, a water-purification plant and carrying tons of medicines.
"People had reserves for a few days, but now they are dwindling. They are afraid to go downtown in search of food because it has become too dangerous," said Patricia Etique, a Swiss citizen.
With thousands of bodies still piled up on the streets of the capital, rotting in the tropical heat, there was also a race against time to reach any survivors still in the ruins and treat those who were badly injured.
After three days of being left to fend mostly for themselves, foreign relief teams were increasingly seen on the streets, some backed by vital heavy-lifting equipment.
A Belgian rescue team pulled out a 28-year-old Haitian woman from the rubble of a building after first amputating her leg above her right knee.
"We, along with a Spanish rescue team, also rescued a baby yesterday evening, and now this woman," said Sergeant Major Edouard Dekoster, part of a specialized search and rescue team from Brussels.
"We're very happy. It's what we're here for, and after this amount of time and the heat, it's great to still find people alive," he told AFP.
'Full support' pledged by US
US President Barack Obama finally reached Haiti's President Rene Preval by telephone Friday, and offered "full support" in earthquake relief aid and long-term rebuilding.
He warned "difficult days" lay ahead, noting the nation's main port was closed, roads were damaged and severe logistical problems loomed.
"So many people are in need of assistance. The port continues to be closed, and the roads are damaged. Food is scarce, and so is water," he said in a brief White House statement.
Donors ranging from the world's richest countries to individuals sending text messages have contributed massive aid for quake-stricken Haiti, but officials warned much more was needed.
According to the United Nations some 268.5 million dollars has already been pledged by 20 countries, organizations and private companies.
Even some of the world's tiniest nations have offered help, with countries like crisis-hit Iceland sending a rescue team and Mauritius donating cash.
