The US Coast Guard has deployed some of its vessels, aircraft, and other assets in response to a request from the Haitian government following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the country on Saturday, August 14, killing more than 1,200 people and destroying over 900 homes and other structures.
Admiral Brendan McPherson, Coast Guard Seventh District Commander, has said that cutters will remain offshore and will be on standby to assist the citizens of Haiti and to support agency response locally while helicopters and aircrews are transporting medical personnel and evacuating those requiring higher levels of care.
On Sunday, August 15, the Coast Guard said in a tweet that the medium endurance cutter Reliance (pictured) has been sent to the region and will be ready to assist upon its arrival in Haitian waters.