U.S. Government’s Response to Quake in Haiti

As soon as there was word of the horrible natural disaster in Haiti, our government began making efforts to bring aid to the people of this country. The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday night affected 3 million people; this is one-third of Haiti’s entire population.

While it is too early to give an exact number, the death toll may exceed 100,000. In Obama’s address to Haiti he expressed deep remorse and stated, “You will not be forsaken. You will not be forgotten. In this, your hour of greatest need, America stands with you. Today you must know that help is arriving. Must, much more help is on the way.”

Each agency has a different role in the disaster response efforts. The U.S. military is working hard to get ground and air evaluations of the damage that has been created by this massive earthquake. The Coast Guards have put forth a huge relief effort thus far. The FAA has been working to determine the condition of airport runways. The USAID has sent out several squads of search and rescue units.

The FCC has granted waivers to various TV and radio stations to host fundraisers for the people of Haiti. According to the Washington Post, the FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, said, “These temporary waivers will help tap the American spirit of generosity in the time of great need to aid Haitian relief efforts.”

President Obama has already committed $100 million to U.S. aid in Haiti. In another part of Obama’s message, he points out how “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.”

To help support the effort in Haiti, please visit: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake