SGT Amberlynn Hinckley assist members of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) while performing first aid to a local woman from the La Flandre community in Haiti, Aug.22, 2021. Guardsmen from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard Aviation have been assisting in the aid-relief efforts in the country since Aug. 17.

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopter crew and partner agencies deliver emergency medical equipment and food to Haitian citizens in impacted areas of Haiti, Aug. 23, 2021. The Coast Guard and partner agencies conducted humanitarian efforts in impacted areas of Haiti following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, Aug. 14 2021. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Estrada)

The U.S. military has flown 560 sorties to Haiti, providing rapid logistical and airlift support, including delivery of more than 348,000 pounds of aid, the Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations said.

Army Maj. Gen. William D. "Hank" Taylor spoke on this and other topics during a press briefing this morning.

The humanitarian assistance operation comes in the wake of two natural disasters that recently hit the Caribbean island.

First, on Aug. 14, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the southwest area of Haiti, causing widespread damage, killing over 2,000, and injuring many more.

Haiti also took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Grace on Aug. 16, resulting in flooding and compounding the damage from the earthquake.

HAITI - While conducting an airfield survey of Las Cayes, Joint Task Force-Haiti personnel provide aid to Haitian citizens Aug. 20 as part of the U.S. military's support to earthquake relief. Joint Task Force-Haiti is conducting U.S. military operations, in support of USAID and alongside our international partners, to save lives and ease the suffering of victims. (SOCSOUTH photo)

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopter crew and partner rescue agencies transfer a patient following a medical evacuation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 23, 2021. The Coast Guard conducted humanitarian efforts in impacted areas of Haiti following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, Aug. 14, 2021. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Estrada)

Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Hoffman, a Defense Department spokesman, said that as of this morning, the Joint Task Force Haiti team has saved or assisted in saving more than 475 lives. The JTF is composed of personnel, equipment, ships and aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard.

The U.S. military "has been working around the clock to save lives and deliver aid since Aug. 14," and will continue with that mission, supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, as well as working with international partners and allies to provide life-saving aid and assistance to the people of Haiti, Hoffman said.