The USA Rice Federation is working with USDA and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist the people of Haiti following the devastating earthquake on Tuesday.

USA Rice has contacted officials within the two agencies to provide information on in-country and nearby rice supplies that could go toward the immediate food needs of the victims of the disaster.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti in the wake of this disaster,” said Betsy Ward, USA Rice Federation president and CEO. “We fully support U.S. government and international community efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Haiti and will work to assist those efforts in any way we can.”


Speaking earlier yesterday from the White House, President Obama pledged $100 million in relief funds to be used for emergency food, equipment, water and medicine.

USAID has identified 7,000 metric tons of pre-positioned rice in Jacinto Port in Texas, which along with other commodities, will be shipped to Haiti within the next few days.

The UN World Food Program is currently distributing ready-to-eat high-energy biscuits to those who cannot access cooking facilities. The UN has pledged a total of $10 million in aid and the World Bank is donating $100 million.