In response to the tragic
school collapse in Haiti, the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) immediately dispatched a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART).
The team arrived on the scene within hours of the collapse in the town of
Petionville, near the capital of Port-au-Prince.
Based upon the initial assessments, USAID activated its partner, the
Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team. The USAR team will be
composed of 38 personnel, 4 search and rescue canines and 31,000 pounds of
rescue equipment.
The USAR team will be accompanied by four additional USAID disaster
experts who will join the DART already in country. The team is due to
arrive in Haiti on Saturday morning.
"This is a tragic situation, especially since children are involved. We
are working alongside the Haitian government, to provide immediate
assistance in the rescue effort," said USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore.
"On behalf of the American people, I wish to convey our sympathy, thoughts
and prayers to the families and loved ones of all the victims of this
tragedy."
USAID will continue to work with the Government of Haiti and will
provide additional support as needed.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide
for nearly 50 years.
SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development
Digg
Reddit
Slashdot