U.S. Provides Additional Hurricane Assistance to Haiti

Washington, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American people, through
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are providing $7.1
million to Haiti -- of which $2.1 million is in new funding and the remaining
$5 million are funds shifted from existing, less critical programs -- as part
of its initial response to the effects of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm
Hanna. In addition, food from the $45 million emergency food program,
announced before the storms hit, is being re-directed to also address the
needs of the hurricane-affected Haitian population. These funds will continue
to provide support for the purchase and distribution of emergency relief
supplies for displaced populations in Haiti and for the support of early
recovery activities.

"We are deeply concerned for those affected by the devastating storms in Haiti
and the region and are doing everything we can to help," said USAID
Administrator Henrietta Fore.

On August 26, Hurricane Gustav passed over Haiti, producing heavy rains and
winds. Beginning on September 1, the approach of Tropical Storm Hanna led to
additional rainfall throughout the country. As of September 4, UN agencies
cite unofficial estimates that more than 100 people have died as a result of
the storms. Flooding and landslides have cut off land routes and hampered
humanitarian access.

USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance staff in the capital of Port au
Prince is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN World Food Program (WFP),
and international humanitarian organizations to identify safe transit routes
for relief staff and commodities from Port au Prince to affected areas. On
September 5, three U.S. Coast Guard helicopters airlifted USAID relief
commodities from Port au Prince to Gonaives for distribution. A Coast Guard
ship is scheduled to transport additional USAID hygiene kits, water
containers, and rolls of plastic sheeting as well as WFP food commodities to
Gonaives on September 5 and 6.

In addition to the initial $100,000 that USAID provided in emergency funding
for Haiti, the Agency also provided $50,000 through USAID's Dominican Republic
mission and $100,000 through USAID's Jamaica mission for the local procurement
and distribution of emergency relief supplies in those countries.

A USAID assessment team continues to monitor the situation in close
consultation with the U.S. Embassy and will provide additional support as
needed. These efforts represent a repositioning of program funding and
activities to prepare for possible future storms.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs,
including assistance to Haiti, please visit:
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.

Public Information: 202-712-4810

SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development

Press Office: +1-202-712-4320