US pledges $ 100 million in aid for Haiti

The United States on Thursday pledged an initial $ 100 million in relief aid for Haiti as the world began to respond to the Western hemisphere nations humanitarian needs following this weeks staggering magnitude-7 earthquake. Im also announcing an immediate investment of $100 million to support our relief efforts. This will mean more of the life-saving equipment, food, water and medicine that will be needed, President Barack Obama said of the U.S. contribution to global relief efforts in the face of the Haitian disaster, which is feared to have claimed tens of thousands of lives.
This investment will grow over the coming year as we embark on the long-term recovery from this unimaginable tragedy, Obama added. Meanwhile, the U.S. will send 3500 soldiers to Haiti for relief and security efforts. According to International Red Cross three million people need emergency relief assistance in the wake of devastation caused by Tuesdays temblor which has also severely damaged capital Port-au-Prince of the poorest country in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has noted that the United States and the international community must strive to help Haiti in the hour of tragedy. According to the U.S. media one American had died in Haiti, with a State Department official saying that at least 164 U.S. citizens have been evacuated since the quake. There were about 45,000 Americans living in Haiti at the time of the earthquake.