January 20, 2009.  This morning, at about “don’t wake me up yet” [6:03am] time, we jumped out of our beds, heart racing. We’ve felt quite a few tremors since we arrived, but this one was particularly strong.

We’ve been sleeping on the Canadian Embassy’s roof, so we were safe. Some journalists had the reflex to run inside to get their cameras out of the building. I was just trying to guess how the roof slab we were standing on would surf downstairs if the building was to collapse. I also said goodbye to the idea of finding a hotel to have a shower and a cold beer in the next few days; in order to be safe we have to keep sleeping outside.

As I left Canadian soil that morning, I saw Stanley (my guide from last week) waiting for me in front of the building. He had vanished for a few days, and I was glad to see him again. Not for long though: Stefan would steal him from me later today .  Stanley wanted to go to Carrefour, where a food distribution went wrong, and where people reportedly ended up being beaten by soldiers wearing blue helmets.

Once we got there, I learned that it all happened yesterday and things where too vague to report. I found the people really desperate in that camp; one woman didn’t have anything to drink for two days.

It is really difficult for us now to interview and film people.  As soon as we bring out the camera we get overwhelmed by the desperate crowds.

Here are some stills of the town as I crossed it; it seemed pretty calm.

I came across a rescue team working on a pile rubble where they think someone is still alive.  It will be a miracle if they succeed.

Another journalist told me that he saw a lot of looting and police activity. I didn’t see any, but this place is big.

As we kept going, we came across Red Cross trucks with volunteers distributing bedding, tarps, hygiene kits and cooking kits. What a nice sight!

Many camps are still waiting for help though. People are so thirsty, I hope clean water comes soon. Stefan just saw the U.S marines drop water and food by helicopter.

Google map of Haiti

From The Guardian:

A second strong earthquake hit Haiti today, waking people from their beds and sending others running into the streets in panic.

The US Geological Survey said the quake measured 6.1, and hit a country already ravaged by an earthquake eight days ago.

The tremor was centered 26 miles north-west of Jacmel, and there were no immediate reports of injuries. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 13.7 miles.

Ed Pilkington, the Guardian correspondent in Port-au-Prince, 35 miles from the epicentre, said this morning’s quake was strong enough to be felt in the Haitian capital.

Pilkington tweeted: “just been woken by my bed shaking in #Haiti. another after shock.”

The Associated Press said “wails of terror” could be heard from people as they fled buildings already left in ruins by last week’s quake. It was not immediately possible to assess what additional damage the new quake may have caused.