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Obama calls on Americans to help Haiti

2010-01-17 09:17 BJT

Special Report: Strong Quake Hits Haiti |

US President Barack Obama tapped two of his predecessors - former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton - to coordinate efforts to get more Americans more involved in helping Haiti recover and rebuild. Obama appeared with Bush and Clinton to make a joint announcement at the White House Rose Garden following an Oval Office meeting on Saturday morning.

Barack Obama said, "Here at home, Presidents Bush and Clinton will help the American people to do their part, because responding to a disaster must be the work of all of us. Indeed, those wrenching scenes of devastation remind us not only of our common humanity, but also of our common responsibilities. This time of suffering can and must be a time of compassion."

Bush and Clinton have created a website to begin collecting donations. They both say every person making a donation should know their money will be spent wisely. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, has arrived in Port-au-Prince for a firsthand look at the devastation. She'll confer with President Rene Preval. She'll also meet with UN officials, US civilians and military personnel working on the relief effort.

Editor: Yang Jie | Source: CCTV.com