Politics

Obama seeks additional $2.8 billion for Haiti

10:37 AM on 03/25/2010

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Haiti's President Rene Preval, center, former President George W. Bush, right, and former President and U.N. special envoy for Haiti Bill Clinton, left, pose in front of the earthquake damaged Presidential Palace in Port-au-Prince, Monday, March. 22, 2010. Former U.S. presidents Clinton and Bush are visiting Haiti to assess recovery needs. They were tapped by President Obama to spearhead U.S. fundraising in response to the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is asking Congress for $2.8 billion in emergency funding for the reconstruction effort in Haiti following January's devastating earthquake.

The president's request comes one week before a U.N. donors conference March 31 in New York. Haitian officials plan to ask for $11.5 billion in reconstruction assistance.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry says the Senate is close to introducing legislation to meet Obama's request.

The Jan. 12 earthquake that ravaged the capital of Port-au-Prince killed an estimated 230,000 people and left more than 1 million homeless.

The White House released a copy of letter Obama sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday.