Earthquake victims in Haiti need hospitals and food, said Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim on Friday after his two-day inspection in Port au Prince.

Seven thousand people have been buried and an unaccounted number of bodies is still trapped under the rubbles of buildings, Jobim said upon his return to Brasilia Air Base.

According to Jobim, in several places the bodies could be removed due to the danger of building collapse, since the region is still very unstable. Heavy tools and machine equipment could not be used either.

Jobim also said thousands of Haitians are living on the streets and one major concern is to feed local population.

"The basic problem is that it is useless to send food that has to be cooked, such as rice or beans. They need food that they can eat right away, like canned food, chocolate, biscuits and bread," explained the minister.

Jobim emphasized the role of the Brazilian Air Forces (FAB) in providing aircraft to transport supplies and people.

"The performance of FAB is extraordinary. We will install the Campaign Hospital at Charlie Base, which can be mounted in between four and six hours. With the work developed in it, we will be able to assess the need to send the Navy hospital module," Jobim said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2009)