Relief efforts in Haiti still a struggle

A Twin Cities based non-profit continues to have one of the largest operations of any relief agency in Haiti. The American Refugee Committee has been on the ground since shortly after the devastating earthquake hit six weeks ago.

ARC's president Daniel Wordsworth recently returned from spending a week in Haiti. He says it's still difficult to move large amounts of supplies through the crowded, rubble-strewn city of Port-au-Prince.

Wordsworth says when supplies are handed out, the most vulnerable are unable to push their way to the front of the crowds. So, ARC goes to them to hand out supplies including tarps for shelter.

"We have teams of people on foot that are going from tent to tent, from settlement to settlement, finding these people, the people that are being left behind. And they're making sure they get tarpaulins, make sure they get health care, make sure they get food, and water," said Wordsworth.

Wordsworth says the American Refugee Committee has a staff of about 15 people from around the world who are managing the group's recovery efforts. He says they also have set up a fully functioning clinic that can handle more than 100 patients a day.

Wordsworth spoke with MPR's Tom Crann.

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