Red Cross estimates 50,000 people killed in Haiti earthquake

Devastation and despair continues to overwhelm Haiti.

By: Whit Johnson CBS News | WNCT
Published: January 15, 2010

Devastation and despair continues to overwhelm Haiti. Residents there are growing more desperate by the day. A lack of basic necessities like food and water has driven some to violence. Looters armed with machetes tore through the streets of Port-Au-Prince Thursday grabbing whatever they could.
One-third of the population is now homeless, forced to live on the streets where bodies are also piling up. The Red Cross estimates that as many as 50,000 people were killed in Tuesday's devastating earthquake. And officials warn that number could grow much higher if the injured don't get help soon.
Emergency supplies are trickling in but very slowly. The country's airport has only one working runway and many roadways are covered with debris.
President Obama is calling this one of the largest relief efforts in recent history. He's made an initial pledge of $100 million in aid.
"More American search-and-rescue teams are coming, more food, more water, doctors, nurses, paramedics,” said President Obama.
The first of wave of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division were deployed from North Carolina Thursday and landed in Haiti early Friday morning. The USS Carl Vinson is also due to arrive today. It's equipped with 19 helicopters, three operating rooms, and can produce fresh water.
Close to 10,000 Military personnel should be on the ground by Monday.