As North Carolinians continue to rebuild from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helen, President Biden on Tuesday pledged $1 billion in humanitarian aid to Africans displaced by historic drought and food insecurity.
“The United States remains the world's largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance, and that will continue to increase. That's the right thing for the world's richest country to do,” Biden said in a speech in Angola. Ta. “Today, I am announcing more than $1 billion in new humanitarian assistance to Africans forced from their homes by historic drought and food insecurity. I know you're looking for investment.
“So the United States is expanding its relationships across Africa, from aid to aid and investment to trade, moving from patron to partner to fill the infrastructure gap,” he added.
Biden's visit to Angola this week will be the president's first time setting foot on African soil during his term, and comes as North Carolinians continue to face hardship after Hurricane Helen caused destruction and devastation in late September. This visit was made during a busy period.
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On December 3, 2024, President Biden visits the National Slavery Museum in Morro da Cruz, near Luanda, and leaves the podium after giving a speech. (Andrew Caballero Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
The White House last month requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding to support efforts in Helene-hit areas.
Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle have vowed to act quickly if they receive a formal request from the Biden administration.
In addition, FEMA Administrator Dean Criswell told reporters last month that the agency “will continue to support continued recovery efforts from these storms and meet overall mission requirements through the end of the year by 2025.” “This will require approximately $40 billion in additional funding beyond this year's budget request.” Fiscal year. ”
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Couple Victoria and Jeff stand on the street with their dog in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 29, 2024, after Hurricane Helen destroyed their camper about a month ago. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
Still, until those funds are in place, some continue to criticize Mr. Biden's record of prioritizing foreign countries over his own, and on Tuesday he posted a video announcing $1 billion in Africa. It was confirmed that it was spread on social media.
“Breaking news: Joe Biden just announced $1 billion in aid to African countries rebuilding from natural disasters. What about North Carolina? This is disgusting,” one user on X wrote.
“This is the worst president ever,” said another at X.
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A destroyed car remains in the river after Hurricane Helen flooded Asheville, North Carolina. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
Still, another user asked, “Can someone please explain to me why Joe Biden hates America so much?”
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on this story.
Helen ravaged parts of the southeastern United States in late September, killing more than 100 people in North Carolina alone.
Damages are estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) previously told Fox News Digital that he believed this storm could be one of the costliest in U.S. history.
Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
