A strong aftershock struck Haiti on Wednesday, creating panic among people camping out in the capital’s streets after last week’s devastating earthquake. The 6.1 aftershock rattled already shattered buildings but there was no immediate reports of damage from the tremor, which struck after daybreak. For details, see [ID:nHAITI]

NEWS

* Fears of violence and looting ease in Haiti as U.S. troops provide security for water and food aid deliveries, and thousands of displaced Haitians heed the government’s advice to seek shelter outside Port-au-Prince.

* U.S. troops in combat gear arrive by helicopter at the presidential palace and move to secure the capital’s main hospital.

* U.N. Security Council unanimously agrees to boost the number of U.N. troops and police in Haiti by 3,500.

* U.N. officials say the security situation has not hampered distribution of food to 270,000 Haitians so far and hundreds of thousands more to benefit in coming days.

* Aid is slowest to reach rural Haitians at the quake’s epicenter.

* Some 52 rescue teams race against time to find people still alive under collapsed buildings, after saving 90 people. Tens of thousands still believed buried.

* The World Health Organization says at least 13 hospitals are working in or around Port-au-Prince. Doctors warn of threats to survivors from infection and disease.

* Venezuela’s Chavez accuses U.S. of “occupying” Haiti

QUOTES

“We do not know exactly what they have come to do but I think they are here to help us, so we tell them welcome.” — Alex Michel, 40, watching U.S. military helicopters arrive at the presidential palace.

“As people look toward reconstruction we need better aid coordination, fewer feel-good projects and less flag-planting, but also strong oversight and accountability so people feel their money is well spent.” — World Bank President Zoellick

“We are not passed the emergency phase yet, but we are starting to look at the long term … There is a risk of cholera and tetanus, and a huge need for mobile medical units.” — aid worker Margaret Aguirre of the International Medical Corps.

“We cannot accept that planes carrying lifesaving medical supplies and equipment continue to be turned away while our patients die.” — Rosa Cretani of Doctors Without Borders, complaining that fifth planeload of its emergency supplies was denied permission to land at U.S.-run airport in Haiti’s capital.

“We know the world wants to help us, but it has been eight days now and I have not seen any food or water for my family.” — quake survivor Gille Frantz.