**Updates Below**
January 12, 2010 - Thousands are trapped in the wreckage of collapsed
buildings when an earthquake registering 7.0 on the Richter scale, devastated Haiti's Port-au-Prince area Tuesday, leaving thousands buried in the rubble or injured by falling debris.
The earthquake, which struck at 4:53 p.m. local time, disrupted communications and knocked out power, which include the
presidential palace, a major hospital and a five-story United Nations building. France's foreign minister said its U.N. mission
chief in Haiti appears to have died in the quake.
Haiti's ambassador to the United States, Raymond Joseph, told CNN
the country's president and his wife are safe, but that the first lady told him "most of Port-au-Prince is destroyed."
In a statement on Tuesday, President Obama said, “My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by this earthquake.
We are closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to assist the people of Haiti.”
The President was informed of the earthquake
at 5:52pm on January 12, 2009. The President asked his staff to make sure that
embassy personnel are safe, and to begin preparations in the event that humanitarian
assistance is needed. The
Department of State, USAID and the United States Southern Command have begun
working to coordinate an assessment and any such assistance.
In Florida, where Haiti is approximately 650 miles southeast, Representative Kendrick Meek's U.S. Senate campaign is asking
visitors to KendrickMeek.com to make a donation through his website to aid the Red Cross with disaster relief in Haiti following a devastating earthquake
that has crippled the island nation.
Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida, which includes Little
Haiti. He represents more Haitian Americans than any other member of Congress. Since his election to Congress in 2002, Meek
has traveled to Haiti over 15 times, most recently leading a bipartisan delegation of South Florida lawmakers to the island.
Since the earthquake struck, Meek has been in contact with the White House, President Clinton's office where the former
president serves as a U.S. envoy to Haiti, the State Department, Southern Command, Red Cross, as well as with Haiti's ambassador
to the U.S. Mr. Raymond Joseph.
"During these times of natural disaster, our first response is to donate food, clothing, and blankets to the disaster zone,
but this goodwill often causes delays in the supply chain providing recovery to those in danger. I am encouraging Floridians
to visit KendrickMeek.com and donate to the Red Cross to aid in the humanitarian relief effort in Haiti," said Meek.
Haitian born artist Wyclef Jean is also appealing to the US to help aid Haiti. Please visit his web site and Twitter page for the latest updates and info, as well as to learn how you can help.
Jean has been instrumental in improving the plight of Haitians over the years and has received the support of many American
artists, to include DC rapper, Wale.
Related
**Updates** President Obama Pledges $100M In Haiti Relief [NY Times Article] | President Obama On Why Haiti Matters [Newsweek Article]
DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine Photo: Members and supporters of the Haitian organization FANM and Haitian Women of Miami protest outside of the White House August, 2009 for President Obama to make good on his promise of TPS (Temporary
Protective Status) for Haitains.
Listen below to our interview with FANM Executive Director, Marleine Bastien as she speaks to
us about the Obama administration and his role in TPS for Haitians. [Jan 18, 2009 Update! Haitians Granted TPS].
