The OpenStreetMap community has really stepped up to the plate and delivered some amazing vector data using a mix of Yahoo! imagery, old CIA maps and new GeoEye imagery.  Some people were digitizing, while others were making sure updated shapefiles were generated every 5 minutes.  Hundreds of sessions were generated in a few days.  The images below, swiped from the Mikel’s post at the OpenGeoData blog, demonstrate the dramatic progress:

OSM at the time of the quake

OSM after a couple of days

OSM, after quake, zoomed in

Sean Wohltman made some interesting observations, however, that Google’s similar MapMaker effort was working at cross-purposes to the OSM efforts, leaving users of the maps needing to make a decision about which version they should use.  A common effort would benefit more people, but the legal terms and conditions prevent a straightforward resolution.  Geospatial data developers and users have made great contributions to the Haiti relief efforts, but while the geo-geeks are playing a leadership role in one respect, they are also exposing some tough contradictions in our legal infrastructure.

Update 1/18/2010:

Some additional OSM Resources related to the Haiti quake:

• Full list of OSM resources including: regular extract jobs, printable and static maps, alternative renderers and other services.
• Dedicated map of Port-au-Prince with several up-to-date aerial and satellite photos, collapsed buildings, camps and obstacles.  Hosted by folks at Oxilian.nl

OSM Haiti with Mapnik rendering and earthquake related locations