News Release

Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the Earthquake in Haiti

Americans' thoughts and prayers are with the people suffering as a result of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.  As part of an integrated U.S government response, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stands ready to support the medical and public health needs of the Haitian people.  

Doctors, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other medical personnel in our National Disaster Medical System and U.S. Public Health Service are preparing to travel to Haiti to provide immediate medical care to the injured.  Public health experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are on hand to help Haitian officials assess the scope of the earthquake's damage to water and food supplies. Our on-the-ground medical teams will be traveling with medicine, medical supplies, and equipment to help save lives during the critical post-earthquake timeframe.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: January 14, 2010