Tuesday, January 12

5:52 PM -The President is informed of the earthquake at 5:52pm. The President asks his staff to make sure that embassy personnel are safe, and to begin preparations in the event that humanitarian assistance is needed. The Department of State, USAID and the United States Southern Command begin working to coordinate an assessment and any such assistance.

8:30 PM - The President receives another update on the situation in Haiti from members of his National Security Staff. The President says expects an aggressive, coordinated effort by the U.S. government.

10:00 PM - Deputy National Security Advisor Tom Donilon convenes a meeting in the White House Situation Room with senior representatives from: State, USAID, USUN, DOD, SOUTHCOM, JCS, DHS, Coast Guard, and National Security and White House Staff to coordinate the government-wide response, per the President's request.

Wednesday, January 13

7:15 AM - The President receives two updates on the earthquake in Haiti. The President receives an paper update from the DHS National Operations Center (NOC), as well as a memo from the National Security Advisor which describes further background, key decisions that have been made, and actions that have already been taken.

7:30 AM - The USG holds interagency taskforce call.

8:45 AM - Deputy National Security Advisor Tom Donilon hosts a Deputies Committee meeting on Haiti.

9:04 AM-The President receives an update from his National Security Staff, as well as from the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General James Cartwright.

10:15 AM - The President speaks with USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah. The President thanks Dr. Shah for his immediate efforts over night and underscores his expectation for an aggressive and highly coordinated relief effort.

10:20 AM - The President delivers remarks about the earthquake in Haiti.

12:42 PM - The President speaks with US Ambassador to Haiti Kenneth Merten.

1:12 PM - The President speaks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

2:15 PM - The President speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

2:23 PM - The President speaks with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

2:36 PM - The President speaks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

4:50 PM - The President calls Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

5:00 PM - The President calls Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

7:15 PM - The President meets with senior civilian and military personnel who are coordinating our relief efforts in Haiti in the White House Situation room. The President pressed his staff to work as hard as possible, and to get relief to Haiti as quickly as possible. The President underscored the importance of the relief effort for several reasons. First, because there are people who are in desperate need of life-saving assistance, including American citizens. Second, because American leadership requires that we demonstrate America's commitment to help those who have been struck by such a terrible tragedy, particularly in our own region. And third, because of the deep ties between the United States and Haiti. The President received a comprehensive briefing from each of the agencies, including the State Department, USAID, DoD, JCS, SOUTHCOM, and USUN. Each leader discussed the resources that have reached Haiti, and the additional resources that are on their way. The President commended these efforts but also underscored the necessity to continue to move as swiftly and aggressively as possible, and to make it clear to the people of Haiti that life-saving support is on the way.