Obama Administration Reacts to Haiti
By Jordan Smith at 14 January, 2010, 3:34 pm
President Obama has designated the new USAID Administrator, Rajiv Shah, as the Unified Disaster Coordinator in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, demonstrating the new clout development has in the Administration. Secretary of State Clinton cut her trip to Asia short and returned to Washington to help support relief efforts. Demonstrating a “whole of government” response, Congressional leaders and the White House announced Wednesday the U.S. is mobilizing relief workers, food, water and other recovery supplies to Haiti. Top lawmakers on the Hill are already moving to provide emergency funding for the effort, as more than a dozen Senators yesterday sent a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders urging that they “include robust emergency funds to assist Haiti in the next legislative vehicle before the Senate.”
Showing the importance of a long-term response, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said the United States needs to not only send immediate help but also lay out a commitment for long-term programs to help Haiti rebuild. President Obama last night called former President George W. Bush and asked him to participate, along with former President Clinton, in raising awareness of relief efforts.
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