Obama offers aid to earthquake-ravaged Haiti

President Barack Obama said his thoughts and prayers were with the people of Haiti, where a strong earthquake hit, and the United States stood ready to help the island nation.

White House officials said Mr Obama also had asked aides to ensure personnel at the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince were safe.

There are fewer than 20 US military personnel in Haiti, largely working with the embassy there.

Officials also said Mr Obama told them to start preparing in case humanitarian assistance was needed.

The US State Department, the US Agency for International Development and US Southern Command started coordination.

“The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince is currently accounting for staff and attempting to activate the US citizen warden network but reports land lines and cell phone communication are down in the capital,” State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said.

“Our embassy is also trying to make contact with the Haitian government. There are emergency meetings going on right now in Washington to identify assets that can be moved quickly into the area. US search and rescue teams have been put on alert, and we are trying to assess the status of the airport. As President Obama has said, we will assist in any way we can.”

“There are emergency meetings going on right now,” Mr Duguid said. “We need to gather what information we can quickly. We will of course assist in any way we can.”