Obama assures New Jersey storm victims of full government support

Washington, United States (4E) – President Barack Obama on Wednesday assured full government support to storm victims during his visit to the New Jersey.

“You guys are in my thoughts and prayers. We are going to be here for the long haul,” Obama said. His comments came just six days before the presidential elections during his visit to an emergency shelter in Brigantine.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie and the federal government’s Emergency Relief Director Craig Fugate accompanied him during the visit. As Sandy battered the U.S.’ eastern coast, millions of people left without power.

Obama assured that the top priority of his government currently would be to get the power back on, which will then be followed by a clean-up drive. “We’re going to not tolerate any red tape. We’re not going to tolerate any bureaucracy. We’re going to make sure that we get the help to you as quickly as we can,” the president said.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s outspoken ally Christie caused a rift in his own party when he not only thanked Obama for what he called an ‘important’ visit but also praised him for magnificently handling the devastating storm in the region.

“It’s really important to have the president of the United States acknowledge all the suffering that’s going on here in New Jersey and I appreciate it very much,” Christie said.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius expressed total solidarity with the American people fighting the devastating Hurricane Sandy and offered aid for the recovery. “France is ready to provide the United States with all the aid it deems necessary,” Fabius said in a statement. “In the face of the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, I express my total solidarity with the American people who, after the Caribbean nations, are living through very difficult hours,” the minister added.

Sandy has reportedly claimed 110 lives with 42 in several US eastern coastal states and 67 elsewhere in the Caribbean. The figure is expected to rise with number of people of missing. Nearly 65,000 French nationals, including 35,000 in New York, live in the northeastern United States.

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