President Obama this morning announced that the U.S. is sending humanitarian aid and rescue teams to Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake yesterday devastated the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
“I want to extend to the people of Haiti the deep condolences and unwavering support of the American people,” Obama said, calling pictures coming out of the country “truly heart wrenching. Indeed, for a country and a people who are no strangers to hardship and suffering, this tragedy seems especially cruel and incomprehensible.”
“I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated and aggressive effort to save lives,” he said. The U.S. Agency for International Development is working with the departments of State and Defense, he said, and the effort will be overseen by USAID administrator Rajiv Shah.
Obama also urged Americans who are waiting to hear from family and loved ones in Haiti to call the State Department at 888-407-4747.
He said civilian disaster assistance teams will arrive in Haiti early this afternoon. Search and rescue teams from Florida, Virginia and California will be arriving over the next two days, he said.
He said the effort will be “complex and challenging” and must be “an international effort.”
“Haitians are our neighbors in the Americas and here at home, so we have to be there for them in their hours of need,” Obama said. “Despite the fact that we are experiencing tough times here at home, I would encourage those Americans who want to support the urgent humanitarian efforts to go to whitehouse.gov, where you can learn how to contribute.”
The White House announced later that Shah, State Department Counselor Cheryl Mills and SOUTHCOM Commander General Douglas Fraser will speak to reporters about the efforts at 11:30 a.m. ET.
