First Lady Michelle Obama, Haitian First Lady Elisabeth Delatour Preval, and Dr. Jill Biden, receive flowers from children at "The Children's Place" in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 13, 2010. The Children's Place, which was created by Elisabeth Delatour Preval, has Haitian artists work with children on art projects as part of a post-quake therapy program. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

April 14, 2010 – First Lady Michelle Obama made her first solo trip out of country and kicked it off with a surprise stop in Haiti Tuesday morning.

Mrs. Obama traveling with Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife was able to see relief efforts underway in the impoverished country. Aid from around the world has poured into the island since the catastrophic earthquake Jan. 12.

The two toured Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital by helicopter where more than a million people are living in temporary camps with shelters constructed tarps and tents.

“I think it was important for Jill and I to come now because we’re at the point where the relief efforts are underway but the attention of the world starts to wane a bit,” Mrs. Obama told reporters before leaving the island.
 
Mrs. Biden said what she witnessed was “absolutely incredible.”     Biden applauded the determination of the people of Haiti. “I think the one thing that we take away from it is really the strength and the resilience of the human spirit, and that’s what we saw today and that’s what we’ll take home to Washington with us.”

The first lady said based on what she saw during the tour “the Haitian people are very happy with the relief efforts.” Adding, “Still, accountability is key.”
 
“I think that my sense is the Haitian people feel a deep appreciation for what the world has done, that’s for sure,” Mrs. Obama said.

Wednesday Mrs. Obama’s trip continues in Mexico City where she’ll begin a busy three –day visit. She’s scheduled to meet with students, tour a museum and have dinner with Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala.

Do you think the plight of the people in Haiti has been forgotten? 

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Jan. 18, 2010 – The relief efforts in Haiti remained high priority with high profile presidential power backing America’s efforts to raise money, awareness and coordinated support in the devastated country. 
 
President Obama hosted former Presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush Saturday to announce they were joining forces to raise money for the Haiti relief effort.  A website, public service announcement and public appearances are rounding out their efforts.
 
Both former presidents set political differences aside and hit the airwaves Sunday on the morning talk shows to promote their new endeavor.  Clinton told NBC’s Meet the Press, “I think it reminds us of our common humanity. It reminds us of needs that go beyond fleeting disagreements. Whatever our policy disputes are, they do not seem to matter much when people are dying,” he said.
 
Bush agreed telling Fox News it’s important when people make donations they are confident how the money will be spent. “We can assure them there will be transparency and the money will be accounted for, and then more importantly, spent on programs that will be effective on the ground.”
 
The White House coordinated a briefing Sunday with those on the front line in Haiti.  Tim Callaghan, advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean told reporters, “The major needs that we see at this point — urban search- and-rescue is still ongoing — food; water; medical needs; and the overall coordination.”
 
Callaghan said search and rescue is a primary focus, but they are working to get more disaster medical teams in place, more medical supplies, and food and water the heavy hit areas.
 
Col. Buck Elton, Commander Society South Haiti wanted to dispel stories of security problems in Haiti causing issues with relief efforts.  “The situation at the airfield is quite manageable.  The Haitian people are patient and cooperative and there have been no issues at the airfield involving the security forces and the exit of supplies out of the airfield or the entrance of citizens requiring evacuation, Elton said.
 
“Everything has been very orderly.  The Haitian police force is helping out tremendously with crowd control and with traffic control around the airfield, and we have had no major incidents,” he added.
 
On Monday Clinton is planning to go to Haiti to deliver emergency relief supplies as part of the assistance being given through the William J. Clinton Foundation.  Clinton had been working with the United Nations and other international groups to assist the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere long before earthquake.  During his visit he is planning to meet with President Rene Preval and other members of the Haitian government.

Jan. 13, 2010 – I spoke with Rep. Maxine Waters from Los Angeles this morning shortly after the President’s remarks on Haiti.

“I heard the President remarks,” she told me.  “It was a very strong statement and much appreciated, especially coming from our highest level of government.”

She added, “We demonstrated a quick response in dealing with the devastation. I am very happy that the Red Cross has set up temporary hospitals and that the U.S. military is already on the ground there.”

She says she’ll reach out to Haitians in the Los Angeles area to organize efforts in L.A. to set up venues for meeting and communication, and a process for Haitian-Americans to try and contact relatives.

The Ambassador of Haiti to the United States, Raymond Joseph, is encouraging Haitian-Americans across the country to set up structures to stay in touch with each other and to get aid to people back home.

Here is a statement released by Waters Tuesday following news of the first earthquake to hit Haiti in 200 years: 

“I am absolutely devastated to learn of the earthquake that struck Haiti late this afternoon. I fear that an earthquake of this magnitude, with its subsequent aftershocks, has dealt a serious blow to the livelihoods and lives of many Haitians and to the important economic, political and social developments that are underway in the country.

Haiti is already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  I have traveled to Haiti many times, and I have seen the poverty and desperation of the Haitian people with my own eyes. There is widespread unemployment and underemployment, and more than two-thirds of Haitian workers do not have formal jobs. There is a high risk of infectious diseases, including diarrhea, hepatitis, typhoid fever, dengue fever and malaria.  The infant mortality rate is nearly 6 percent, and almost half of the adult population cannot read and write.   

Many people have worked hard over the years to assist the people of Haiti.  I have worked with officials in the U.S. Government and international organizations to bring economic development to Haiti.  Meanwhile, dedicated people working with charities and non-governmental organizations are on the ground in Haiti trying to end poverty and help the Haitian people build a brighter future for themselves and their children.

I have also worked very hard over several years to bring debt cancellation to Haiti, which owed over one billion dollars in debts to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other multilateral financial institutions. Last June, the World Bank announced that all of these debts would be completely canceled.

Yet for the people of Haiti, every step forward seems to be followed by three steps backward. In August and September of 2008, Haiti was struck by four hurricanes and tropical storms in rapid succession:  Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike.  The loss of life and the destruction of infrastructure as a result of these storms were devastating.  The storms destroyed more than 22,000 houses and damaged an additional 84,000 houses.  Almost all of the agricultural land in the country was flooded, causing more than $200 million in damage to the agricultural sector alone and exacerbating hunger throughout the country. The storms also damaged or destroyed roads, bridges and other essential infrastructure.

I had hoped that this year would be a year of recovery for Haiti.  Yet this earthquake could prove to be even more damaging than the storms of 2008. We do not yet know the full extent of the damage, but certainly many Haitians have lost their lives or their loved ones, and many survivors will have lost their homes or livelihoods.

As much as one can be at this time, I am encouraged by statements of support and solidarity from President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, and the international community. I urge the U.S. Government, the international community, nonprofit organizations and even individual people to take all appropriate actions to respond to this earthquake and help the Haitian people recover from this terrible tragedy.

My heart is with the people of Haiti tonight, and I commit myself to doing everything I can to help them through this terrible disaster.”

For Americans concerned about family members, friends and other loved ones in Haiti the State Department has set up a telephone line for assistance:  888-407-4747