Officials in Haiti say at least 227 people are dead after a powerful earthquake rocked the western part of the country. According to Haiti's Office of Civil Protection, many others are injured and a large number of homes and buildings destroyed. Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry declared a state of emergency and said the top priority to recover as many survivors as possible. Search and rescue teams are being sent to hard hit areas.
President Biden is offering aid and condolences to the people of Haiti after a seven-point-two magnitude earthquake shook the island nation earlier today. In a statement from the White House, the President is offering an immediate U.S. response and has named USAID Administrator Samantha Power as the senior official to coordinate the effort. The President added "The United States remains a close and enduring friend to the people of Haiti. and we will be there in the aftermath of this tragedy."