In response to the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on Jan. 12, President Barack Obama released a statement urging Americans to support Haitian victims: “The reports and images from Haiti of collapsed hospitals, crumbled homes, and men and women carrying their injured neighbors through the streets are truly heart-wrenching,” Obama said in a press release. “As we learn more about the extent of the devastation, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and Haitian Americans around our country who do not yet know the fate of their families and loved ones back home. I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives.
The people of Haiti will have the full support of the United States government in the urgent effort to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble and to deliver the humanitarian relief—the food, water, and medicine—that Haitians will need in the coming days. This is also a time when we are reminded of the common humanity that we all share, and Americans have always responded to these situations with generosity of spirit.” In the release, Obama also said people who are looking for a loved one in Haiti should call the State Department at 1-888-407-4747. People interested in contributing to the disaster relief effort can visit whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake.
This article appears in Jan 21-28, 2010.