What happens when a country has a failed government

The disaster in Haiti, a country that has never had an effective operational government and what government they do have is corrupt. The many minister of the various departments lack the training and ability to deal with such a major disaster. I am sure some were killed in the quake, others are searching for their own family members, and others are so overwhelmed they can't function. Even the president is homeless. As help arrives from around the world, the Haitian government lacks the organizational ability to send resources to the areas of greatest need. Add to that the problem of who has the authority to fill the void. The UN has assumed part of that responsibility, but their own headquarters was destroyed and they have been preoccupied with the rescuing of their own personnel.

The US military can't just take over and occupy the city, that could create civil revolt by these desperate people. Security for the rescue workers is becoming a concern as frustrated people are starting to be violent. Gangs of mainly young people are looting homes and businesses and robbing people that might have anything of worth. The Haitian police are now busy protecting what little functional resources are available, like gas stations, water supplies, and food rations. There is not enough of them to also patrol the streets or help in the search for those still alive and trapped. With the inherent corruption, some of the food and water coming into the country are being sold on the black market for profit. 

In one case a mobile hospital as set up near a functioning clinic and because of gun shoots and other violence near by, the UN has directed that the medical personnel move to a more secure location, but where and how are they going to move the hospital tents with all the patient they have inside? Can't they get some of the military over there to secure the hospital without having to move everything? At least in Sumatra there was some form of functional government that was able to coordinate the various resources for a more effective relief process during the initial hours.

I am sure President Obama must be very frustrated that he can't just take over and get things done. After all this is another country and the USA does not have any authority to arrest or detain Haitian citizens. This is not a war, it is a civil rescue operation, and that requires diplomacy with a government that is trying to reassemble in make shift tents in order to govern. Most every government building was destroyed or unsafe to occupy.

To help reduce disease spreading among the survivors, the Haitian government is resorting to mass graves at the outskirts of the city. No records of who they are burying. The true death toll and names of those lost will never be know.

Unless there can be some organization created with all the relief contingencies, only a small fraction of the survivors will get any assistance or medical care. The death toll from lack of water, food and medical care will climb. Many who could be saved, will parish. We also know that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder will start to affect the people and more anger and aggression will be the result. Any civility will cease and total anarchy will prevail. We have seen this first hand in New Orleans after Katrina hit. Civility is only paper thin and when governmental authority fails to exist, people will do whatever it takes for self preservation. If it means killing your neighbor for their food or water, so be it.

Let's hope thing improve tomorrow or the next day so that human life can be saved and civility returned to the people of Haiti.