FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

January 22, 2010

CONTACT: Aaron Keyak

office: (202) 225-5061

cell: (202) 905-6361 

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(Washington, DC) – Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the House Appropriations State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, met with the new Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Rajiv Shah, and Ambassador Craig Kelly, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, to discuss the current situation on the ground in Haiti.

“Once again we are reminded of the horrible consequences to the Haitian people from the massive earthquake last week and its more recent aftershocks. As the recovery efforts continue, the unspeakable human toll is being realized more and more, with at least 75,000 confirmed deaths, 200,000 injuries, and the displacement of approximately one million people,” said Congressman Rothman. “There are currently more than 500 search and rescue professionals in Haiti from the U.S. and around the world, including Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, and the United Kingdom continuing to look for the living and the dead beneath a large area of destruction. To date, the international community has combined to assist or rescue approximately 122 people from the rubble – with the USAID Urban Search and Rescue Teams accounting for 43 of those individuals.”

“The international response to this crisis is a promising start, but there is still much more work to be done. USAID has set up a website at http://haiti.usaid.gov where the latest information can be found on the situation in Haiti. Also, in order to help family members affected by this tragedy, my offices in New Jersey and Washington, DC remain available to help in any way we can at (201) 646-0808 and (202) 225-5061 respectively,” said Congressman Rothman.

Congressman Rothman’s primary focus is, of course, on the speed and effectiveness of these initial rescue and support efforts. However, Congressman Rothman has also offered suggestions on how to address the longer term needs of this poor country and its survivors in the aftermath of this horrific natural disaster. In addition, Congressman Rothman expressed concern about the political situation and potential institutional instability in Haiti, as well as whether or not more can be done to ensure that terrorists, drug gangs, criminals, and other threats do not move into or take control of Haiti. 

“I am proud of the U.S.’s rescue efforts to date, as well as the generous support of the American people and other international donors,” said Congressman Rothman. “The thoughts and prayers of myself, my family and the people of New Jersey’s Ninth Congressional District continue to go out to the Haitian people and the Haitian American community.”

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Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) with the new Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Rajiv Shah.