Kerry Calls on Humanitarian Aid for Hurricane-Ravaged Haiti

Press Release

Kerry Calls on Humanitarian Aid for Hurricane-Ravaged Haiti

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sen. John Kerry released the following statement today in response to the increasingly devastating situation in Haiti. Heavy rains from Hurricane Ike have added to the damage left from Hurricanes Hanna, Gustav, and Fay.

"In the wake of four destructive hurricanes, Haiti is facing another crippling humanitarian crisis, and America must stand with the people of Haiti in their time of need. The damage and suffering from these storms has devastated the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians are in need of immediate assistance, including water, food, clothing and shelter, and innumerable displaced persons are at risk of water-borne diseases and malaria given the severe flooding.

"The city of Gonaives," Kerry went on to say, "which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Jeanne in 2004, is again under water, and roads to the capital of Port-au-Prince have been washed out, hampering aid and assistance from reaching the flooded areas. This has only compounded the problems Haiti was already facing due to worldwide increases in food prices, which has left some 4 million Haitians struggling to provide for themselves and their families.

"In this tragic time for Haiti's people, the United States has a clear responsibility to help ensure the free and rapid delivery of humanitarian aid to the people who need it most. We must act now, before this crisis gets even worse."

Reports claim that at least 319 people have died from the tropical storms that have hit Haiti in the recent weeks.

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