Obama promises to stand by Haiti

U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday met with Haitian President Rene Preval to discuss relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti following the devastating January 12 earthquake that killed more than 300,000 people and left at least one million homeless.

Obama told reporters the situation on the ground in Haiti "remains dire," noting that the continuing desperate need for food, medicine and shelter will get worse with the start of Haiti's rainy season.

And he pledged that the U.S. will stand with the impoversihered Caribbean country.

"You will continue to have a steady and reliable partner in the United States of America," Obama promised Preval.

Washington has already provided US$700 million in aid to Haiti. And a donors conference is planned in New York for the end of March.