Haitians don't care, so long as she brings help.

No Haitians interviewed by foreign news organisations had ever heard of Mrs Palin. But when told she was an American politician, they welcome her with open arms.

'It would be good if she came, because we could tell her that we need medicine and jobs,' said Roseline Frederique, a 21-year-old resident of the capital's Cite Soleil slum who is being treated for cholera symptoms.

Mrs Palin was a guest in Port-au-Prince of Reverend Franklin Graham, whose aid group works in the impoverished country.