Obama warns situation in Haiti remains dire

Washington- US President Barack Obama warned Wednesday that the situation in Haiti remains "dire" and called on the world to step up its efforts in the earthquake devastated Caribbean nation.

(Photo) US President Barack Obama (R) delivers remarks as President of Haiti Rene Preval (L) looks on, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington DC, USA, 10 March 2010. President Obama and President Preval met to discuss earthquake relief efforts and strategies to rebuild Haiti.

Members of Congress, leaders of the American-Haitian  community and people representing  organizations  in the quake relief effort attended the event in the Rose Garden.

"People should be under no illusions that the crisis is over," Obama said after meeting with Haitian President Rene Preval at the White House.

More than 220,000 people were killed in the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that destroyed much of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas on January 12. Preval was in Washington ahead of the March 31 international donors conference to raise money for Haiti's redevelopment.

There is still a "desperate need" for food, medicine and shelter and with the spring rainy season on the way the situation could grow worse, Obama said.

"The challenge now is to prevent a second disaster," Obama said. 

DPA