WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says "one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history" is moving toward Haiti. Some U.S. resources already are on the ground providing water and medicine, search and rescue efforts and airlifts of the injured.
Speaking to reporters Thursday at the White House, Obama said the U.S. government is making an initial investment of $100 million for the earthquake relief effort in Haiti. He said the amount would grow over the year.
He said it will take hours "maybe days" to get the full U.S. relief contingent on the ground, because of the damaged roads, airport, port and communications. He acknowledged that "none of this will seem quick enough" to the many suffering.
To the Haitians, Obama promised: "You will not be forsaken." He told them that America - and the world - "stands with you."