The Haiti earthquake relief operation faced scathing new criticism today after aid organisations and US forces were accused of being involved in a 'vanity parade' to show solidarity with victims.
In an astonishing outburst, Guido Bertolaso, the head of Italy's civil protection service, claimed there was a lack of leadership in the aid operation and criticised American forces for having no training in running a major civil relief programme.
As angry and frustrated Haitians complained they were still awaiting aid 13 days after the devastating quake, Mr Bertolaso toured the broken streets of the capital Port-au-Prince and described it as a 'terrible situation that could have been managed much better'.
During his criticism, he said it was logical and commendable for the US to lead the relief efforts, but 'too many officers' meant that they had been unable to find a suitable leader.
'We are missing a leader, a co-ordination capacity that goes beyond military discipline,' Mr Bertolaso said.
'It is a truly powerful show of force, but it is completely out of touch with reality.
'They don't have close rapport with the territory, they certainly don't have a rapport with the international organisations and aid groups.'
Despite the massive promise of help and money from around the world, there has been repeated criticism of the relief operation with claims the US focused too much on moving troops rather than aid.
The Italian government was swift to distance itself 
from Mr Bertolasco's attack and John Caulfield, a senior US diplomat in the region, dismissed the allegations, stressing Washington wished to provide aid to the Haitian people and 'not be distracted by political criticisms'.
Yesterday at makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince survivors continued to scrabble for food as distribution points.
One petite 19-year-old Haitian named Darling, who missed the bags of rice and bottles of cooking oil handed out, summed up the frustration of many.
