USS Kearsarge Arriving in Port au Prince, USAID Disaster Relief Total Contribution Now $10 Million
September 8, 2008
No. 2008/ 66
The U.S. Government continues to work hand-in-hand with the Government of Haiti and the international community to send critical humanitarian assistance to the communities which are being tragically affected by Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike. Our support includes provision of relief supplies, transportation and logistics to deliver relief, and ongoing damage assessments. Our highest priority is to help deliver urgently-needed relief supplies to communities which are now cut off from overland access, including Gonaives.
The USS Kearsarge will arrive this morning, Monday, September 8, after delays due to continuing bad weather. This ship’s helicopters and landing craft will be used to transport relief supplies from Port-au-Prince to people affected by Hurricanes Hanna and Ike to the north, and also to communities in the south severely affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna. Helicopters from the Kearsarge have begun flying to identify suitable landing sites for delivery of relief supplies to Les Cayes, Jeremie, Port a Paix, Jacmel and St. Marc. (more)
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The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are providing $7.1 million to Haiti as part of its initial response to the effects of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna
September 6 2008
No. 2008/ 65
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are providing $7.1 million to Haiti – of which $2.1 million is in new funding and the remaining $5 million are funds shifted from existing, less critical programs - as part of its initial response to the effects of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna.
In addition, food from the $45 million emergency food program, announced before the storms hit, is being re-directed to also address the needs of the hurricane-affected Haitian population. These funds will continue to provide support for the purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies for displaced populations in Haiti and for the support of early recovery activities.
The USS Kearsarge, or the United States Navy, has departed Colombia en route to Haiti to support disaster relief efforts. The expected arrival of the Kearsarge, which could be affected by Hurricane Ike, is September 7. (more)
