The Haitian presidential palace stands in ruins in Port-au-Prince after an earthquake measuring 7.0 rocked the impoverished nation. (Photo by Lisandro Suero / AFP / Getty Images.)
by Christi Parsons and Mark Silva
President Barack Obama promised swift delivery of rescue assistance and humanitarian aid to the island nation of Haiti this morning in the wake of a devastating earthquake that has left hundreds dead and many more missing.
Haitians will have the "full support" of the U.S. as they work to rescue those trapped and to gather food, water and medicine in the critical early hours of the recovery, the president said.
"This is a time when we are reminded of the common humanity we all share," Obama told reporters in the White House Diplomatic Reception Room. "With just a few hundred miles of ocean between us," he said, "Haitians are our neighbors in the Americas and here at home. We have to be with them in their hour of need."
Following a series of morning briefings about recovery efforts, Obama said the U.S. military is helping to survey the damage, as U.S. agencies mobilize rescue workers and supplies on their way to the island now.
Obama asked Americans who are trying to locate family members in Haiti to call a toll-free government line: (888) 407-4747.
He also pledged a coordinated international effort and as "forward-leaning" a U.S. response as possible in the hours to come.
The most powerful earthquake ever to hit the island nation yesterday afternoon, the event hit 7.0 on the Richter scale.
Early photo images show frantic Haitians searching for survivors amid the collapsed buildings and immense rubble.
In New York, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon called this morning for an international relief effort, saying "there is no doubt that we are facing a major humanitarian emergency."
Many U.N. personnel in Haiti are not yet accounted for since collapse of the UN headquarters in the Christopher Hotel, he said.
"Many people are still trapped inside," said Ban.
Troops from the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti, mostly Brazilian, worked through the night to try to reach those trapped under the hotel rubble. Rescuers recovered several dead bodies and several badly injured persons, who were taken to hospitals.
The Montana Hotel, where some U.N. personnel lived, also collapsed, according to Ban. He said the U.N. is organizing a relief team to be sent quickly to Haiti.
The U.S. Agency for International Development said today that it is dispatching a Disaster Assistance Response Team and that partners - including the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team and the Los Angeles County Search and Rescue Team - are traveling to Haiti today.
Each of the teams will be composed of up to 72 people, as well as rescue canines, and will carry up to 48 tons of rescue equipment. The teams will be accompanied by USAID disaster experts who will assist with assessments of the situation, the agency said.
"This is a tragic situation and we will work alongside the Haitian government to provide immediate assistance in the rescue effort," said USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah. "On behalf of the American people, I wish to convey our sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti who have been affected by this devastating earthquake."
The earthquake was "a devastating blow to the country and its people,'' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said today. He suggested that not only the U.S. government, but also the American people, stand ready to deliver relief to suffering Haitians.
"While the U.S. is already sending federal aid and assets, I am confident that the generosity of the American people will be what it so regularly is in these tragedies -- an inspiring expression of responsibility and benevolence,'' said McConnell (R-Ky.). He also praised the Obama administration for its "immediate response to this crisis.''
Former President Bill Clinton, who serves as the United Nations envoy to Haiti, promised of U.N. aid in the hours after the temblor.
"My U.N. office and the rest of the U.N. system are monitoring the situation,'' Clinton said, "and we are committed to do whatever we can to assist the people of Haiti in their relief, rebuilding and recovery efforts."
Paul Richter contributed to this report from Washington.
Comments
I wonder how much money and aid will be sent by China and the Middle East countries? Probably not even 1/10 of what the USA will send.
'
As much as we love to help every person in need around the world, the US needs to stop being the world's policeman and the world's open wallet - us citizens can't afford it anymore.
Posted by: BC | January 13, 2010 11:03 AM
Charming, BC.
Posted by: Mark Silva | January 13, 2010 11:30 AM
Just ask yourself "What would Jesus do?"
Posted by: Kenneth Janowski | January 13, 2010 11:44 AM
panty waist responds to Haiti's earthquake within 12 hours,but it took him over 3 days to respond to the Christmas day terror attack that could of killed hundreds of Americans in the sky and thousands on the ground.
Where are this mans priorities?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | January 13, 2010 12:17 PM
@Paulo.....your concern for the agony of the Haitians is staggering. But don't miss an opportunity on their account.
Posted by: bill r. | January 13, 2010 1:08 PM
Paulo, Priorities??? Obviously you are one who feels that the previous admin in the white house had the right priorities. Maybe you should be reminded that the previous admin took 5 days to respond to Katrina. ( Bush was busy on the ranch clearing sagebrush) We all saw it live and in color on our TV sets and the white house had the nerve to say that they were unaware of the tragedy. The Obama admin was on the ball the moment the quake occured. The Christmas day ALMOST a terrorist attack did not result in one single live being lost.
Posted by: dee | January 13, 2010 1:52 PM
Paulo:
You never cease to amaze.
In Haiti we have countless dead and injured people -- tens of thousands surely. Actual harm, actually suffered, right now -- and a short distance from the U.S. to boot. Even Darth Cheney might let loose with a dose of compassion on this one. Certainly, this warranted "priority" attention by "panty waist" (seering criticism with that appellation, huh?)
In contrast, the "Christmas Day Terror Attack" was a failure, with no harm to anyone, whatsoever. Period. It didn't work.
That you can't distinguish between the two events is one of the characteristics that makes you among the most curious posters on this Blog (and that's saying something). You were miswired at some point between your maculate conception and the present. You need help.
Posted by: a blinkin | January 13, 2010 1:52 PM
Obama has no problem with "swift, coordinated and aggressive effort" for Haiti. Why didn't he have the same resolve for the public option or to not screw the middle class by taxing employer health care, or to uncover the crimes where US taxpayer money was wasted by the TARP-looting and recession-causing banks? This has been exactly like the loss of life in Haiti. People die every day in America due to the bankers' part in loss of homes, jobs and income. This lack of resolve to protect the middle class and to get to the bottom of the rapist bankers--and to make them pay--shows that Obama's critics are correct in saying Obama loves Americans LESS and those in other nations more. Perhaps it's just EASIER for Obama to love other nations more than America. There is something missing in Obama. Something is really missing.
Posted by: Vivian | January 13, 2010 1:59 PM
@Vivian...and truly he has not cured cancer either nor discovered the Holy Grail. He is no where complete on building Rome even after a year. What is amazing is that with all the advise and constructive criticism from the opposing party, how could he not have accomplished this and also land a human collony on Mars yet?
Posted by: bill r. | January 13, 2010 2:18 PM
By all means politicize this disaster. Port -a- Prince had more than 2 million people and now it's almost gone. The poorest country in the West needs help urgently. And you trash talk away....
Shame!
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | January 13, 2010 6:44 PM
Vivian, The comparison between the two events that you described is like watching someone walk past an severely injured woman with a dead babe in her arms while saying" why are you griping, I just broke the heel on my best pair of Prada shoes! " There is no connection or way of comparing this true disaster caused by nature to an innocent population to the financial problem caused by greedy bankers. Maybe you lost you home in the recent financial crisis but your children are not laying dead in the rubble, I think what may be "missing " is your compassion or connection to humanity in the face of a truly horrible event.
Posted by: Dee | January 13, 2010 7:12 PM
panty waist Paulo:
ask yourself what if it were your parents or children buried under concrete, thirsty and frightened, horribly injured.
where is your common sense and compassion.
also, I am still waiting to hear your plan to protect yourself against terrorists.
Posted by: writerofwrongs | January 13, 2010 7:53 PM
Dee--my home is intact, thanks.
Americans have died by the thousands over the past three years due to loss of jobs, homes and benefits. The bankers and the Bush con jobs have been responsible for most of this. And, Obama has done little to reverse the con job madness trend. He has done nothing to make those guilty pay--and things have not really changed much. See how much $$$ banks and health insurance companies have donated to Obama. He has shown no passion--like his passion for Haiti--to go after them, either.
Dee--You are wearing your heart on your sleeve for others in other nations--as does Obama--and not for your own countrymen and women. We may have been dying a bit more slowly than the others---not in one fell earthquake swoop---however, we have been dying without real care or action by our government to prevent American deaths. This is an ongoing disaster of great proportions.
Time for Obama and the American government to prop up American citizens. How many homes have the Obama interventions actually saved? I can tell you, very few. How many jobs has Obama actually created? Very few. All-talk-and-no-walk-for-Americans-Obama is not our friend. He could pay outright for any real health care reform with what he is and wants to spend in his fake, BS "wars", and with what he wants to spend saving the rest of the world. Instead, he taxes us--you and me--and threatens to throw us in jail, or to penalize us with te help of the IRS to pay for HIS health BS "reform". Iraqis already have totally free health care from the USA--without threats or penalties. Lets see if Haitians get it now. Obama continues to threaten and penalize his own people. I wonder--who ARE Obama's OWN people? If it's not us, he needs to go and become the Second Christ, or the new Dali Lama, and get out of the President of the U.S.A. business.
One could say that Obama is a socialist for the world--and he will make America (you and me) pay more than all other nations, and that payment will be through our teeth. Your words do not sway me. Feel free to send your own personal dollars to Haiti--that's nice of you. However, don't be so free with my tax money and the taxes of all other Americans.
Where ARE all the new American bridges, water Tx plants, roads, power grids, updated railroads and high speed rails, new schools, JOBS, and REAL health reform that Obama promised in his campaign, and said he wanted our gov't to take care of? Really, when you look at it, pouring $$$ into Haiti, Afghan and Iraq is taking away health care, job creation and homes from Americans right now. Time to heal the goose that lays the golden eggs for the rest of the world. And she is us--you and me--not Obama--whatever he may think. Time to mobilize the US Navy for New Orleans, Detroit, Buffalo, Cleveland, and San Diego, folks.
Posted by: Vivian | January 15, 2010 12:15 PM
I agree with all of you to an extent. That is to say there is truth and compassion in all your voices. Campaign promises are being broken but I didn't vote for him and the promises were so unrealistic I am not surprised at all. I am no big fan of Bush either so don't get your back up in partisan rhetoric. The criminals are in Congress and the lobbiests. For years they have trampled on our constitution and are truly and directly responsible for our economic situation. As for Haiti it sits some 700 miles off our shore, it is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, it is helped almost solely by Christian Ministries and other groups alike with a passion for others. We have to help them and regardless of who the president was right now they would be helped. Why politicize it? Take a break and pray for the kids at least. Ironically as you watch this unfold you will see that just like in Katrina, suffering will continue as the help is mobilized because of logistical nightmares involved. Not because a pen witch is the presidents tool is without compassion. Bush, Clinton, and Obama are standing next to each other on my TV right now in an effort to raise private funds to help these poor people. On an ongoing basis we need to take steps to return to the principles that states keep their rights separate from the federal government, get the money out of Washington. It is corrupt. Vote for your childrens future and not your present circumstances. As for the current power mongers and the Chicago twist on it it is not honest, open, transparent. It is agenda driven by power and money. Politics as usual. Our constitution is the key. Health insurance lets you live for a few more years, our constitution lets you live your years in a way worth living...FREE. Let us take it back from Washington. They are not all bad people, just blinded by power and greed. Sinners like us all. Now find a reputable charity and find out about it first and give a little bit. If we all do that the burden will be negligable. Praise Jesus and thank you for all our blessings Lord and thank you for these spirited debaters of life and liberty.
Posted by: One humble dad | January 16, 2010 11:23 AM
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