Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—January 14, 2010. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. supports President Obama’s request for $100 million in emergency aid to earthquake-ravaged Haiti and called on the U.S. government to continue search-and-rescue efforts; suspend Haitian deportation procedures; grant temporary protective status to Haitians living here; and provide emergency medical airlifts to critically injured Americans and Haitians on the island nation.
“America has an opportunity, indeed an obligation, to provide medical care and financial aid to our neighbors in Haiti – both as a nation and as individuals,” said Jackson, who is vice-chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations.
Because many medical facilities in Haiti have been destroyed, Jackson urged federal officials to consider providing emergency airlifts for only the most critically and seriously wounded to neighboring countries, including the United States, that have adequate medical facilities to treat the injured.
“In cases of life-and-death emergencies, our federal government should coordinate efforts and engage private hospitals to provide beds and medical assistance,” he said.
Jackson also announced that anyone seeking information about U.S. citizens in Haiti can e-mail the State Department at [email protected] . Additionally, persons wishing to provide assistance or expertise in Haiti can contact the Center for International Disaster Information (part of the U. S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance), at a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support at: http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/
Source: jackson.house.gov
