Chinese rescue team continues aid in Haiti despite violence

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's search and rescue team in earthquake-hit Haiti was continuing rescue efforts and medical assistance to local people despite frequent violence and looting, the China Earthquake Administration (CEA) said Thursday.

Members of the China International Search and Rescue Team, mainly from the CEA, had to carry out the rescue under the protection of the Chinese peacekeepers there, said Miao Chonggang, deputy director of the CEA's emergency rescue department.

The administration learned from team members that security situation in Port-Au-Prince, capital of the Caribbean nation, was very bad and violent looting took place from time to time, Miao said.

"Nevertheless they work enthusiastically, providing operations for the injured and psychological counselling to traumatized people," Miao said.

He said Haiti, ravaged by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake on Jan.12, was still in urgent need for medical workers and facilities.

The Chinese rescue team has searched some 30 buildings and retrieved 15 bodies of quake victims after they arrived at Port-Au-Prince two days after the quake.