Bringing COMFORT to Haiti: Operational medicine disaster response during the 2010 earthquake

In response to the January 12th earthquake in Haiti, the USNS COMFORT was deployed as part of Operation Unified Response-Haiti to provide medical support for one of the largest natural disasters in recorded history. Operation Unified Response-Haiti demonstrated the incredible logistic and organizational support that the U.S. Military can provide on short notice and is critical during the acute phase of disaster response efforts. The operation also highlighted the inter-service and inter-agency cooperation that is required to successfully coordinate relief efforts with international, host nation and non-governmental organizations. Preventive medicine and disease control operations, particularly for malaria, were also critical in preparation for the relief efforts and increased in importance as the response moved into the endemic disease transmission seasons. Current updates on the status of relief efforts will be provided.