January 19, 2010 3:54 a.m. EST

People sit under a makeshift tent across the street from the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince last week.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Their homes destroyed, many Haitians living in ramshackle tent cities
• People living there fear rape, robbery and other criminal activity
• National Police Chief Mario Andresol says tent cities pose his biggest challenge
• In addition to security concerns, people in tent cities want for food and medicine

Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- In the best of times, the Champs de Mars square in downtown Port-au-Prince was an awe-inspiring sight for Haitians. The broad boulevard was home to the majestic presidential palace, the seat of the country's power and prestige.
Not anymore.
The century-old gleaming white palace is in ruins. And in the shadow of its wrought-iron gates, the immaculately maintained plaza has been overtaken by row upon haphazard row of makeshift shacks as far as the eye dwells.
These are the new homes of the capital's displaced residents: rickety quarters comprised of bed sheets, propped up on sticks and held together with ropes.
Nearly 500,000 Haitians have moved here, rendered homeless by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated the impoverished island-nation a week ago.
Throughout the capital, and in other affected areas of the country, similar tent cites have risen -- cramped, squalid encampments filled with the few belongings that residents have salvaged.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, these mini-cities pose Haiti's next challenge.