President Obama this morning again addressed the relief efforts in Haiti, announcing an immediate investment of $100 million for “one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history.”
“This morning I can report that the first waves of our rescue and relief workers are on the ground and at work,” he said. He said search and rescue teams are working to dig out survivors; the military has secured the Port-au-Prince airport to receive workers and supplies “around the clock;” and water and medicine has been air-lifted to the hardest-hit areas.
He also said injured Americans have been air-lifted out of the country, and more evacuations for citizens will be scheduled soon.
Obama spoke at the White House, flanked by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Vice President Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah. Obama said he instructed each of them to make the Haiti earthquake recovery “a top priority.”
He also announced that Biden will travel to South Florida to meet with leaders of the Haitian-American community and responders.
But, he warned, the efforts will be difficult.
“It will take hours and in many cases days to get all our people and resources on the ground,” he said.
Obama called on the “tremendous generosity and compassion of the American people,” asking citizens to contribute to the effort and thanking those who already have.
He also vowed to work with Haiti, as well as the United Nations, other countries and non-governmental organizations, over the coming year to help the country get back on its feet.
He also spoke directly to the Haitian people:
Few in the world have endured the hardships that you have known. Long before this tragedy, daily life itself was often a bitter struggle. After suffering so much for so long, to face this new horror must cause some to look up and ask, “Have we somehow been forsaken?”
To the people of Haiti, we say clearly and with conviction, you will not be forsaken. You will not be forgotten.
We know you are a strong and resilient people … through it all your spirit has been unbroken and your faith has been unwavering. So today you must know that help is arriving. Much, much more help is on the way.
