AlHijjah 14, 1433, Oct 30, 2012, SPA -- U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday convened a video-telecoference from the White House to receive the latest updates on relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy, the White House said. According to the White House, participants in the teleconference included Vice President Joe Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James Winnefeld, USNORTHCOM Commander General Charles Jacoby, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb. The White House said that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner joined the briefing by telephone, while Obama was joined in the White House Situation Room by Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Assistant to Obama for Homeland Security John Brennan, Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco, Deputy Assistant to Obama for Homeland Security Richard Reed, White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs David Agnew, National Security Advisor to Biden Tony Blinken, and other senior administration members. “Overnight, at the requests of the Governors, the President approved major disaster declarations for the states of New Jersey and New York, making additional federal support for state and local efforts available, as well as direct federal assistance to affected individuals in declared counties," the White House said in a statement. “The President expressed his concern for those impacted by the storm, as well as the heroic first responders who are selflessly putting themselves in harm's way to protect members of their communities. He also noted his sadness over the loss of life associated with the storm so far," the White House said. The statement said that Obama was updated on the storm's track and impacts, and was told by Fugate about FEMA's efforts in working with state and local authorities, the u.S. National Guard, and other government agencies in relief efforts. “The President told his team that their top priority is to make sure all available resources are being provided to state and local responders as quickly as possible and directed them to identify and resolve any potential bottlenecks or shortfalls should they arise," the White House said. “The President made clear that beyond the immediate lifesaving and life sustaining activities, which remain the primary focus, he wanted his team to continue to focus on what they can do to support state, local, and private sector efforts to restore power," the statement said. “The President made clear that he expects his team to remain focused as the immediate impacts of Hurricane Sandy continue and lean forward in their response. The President urges Americans to continue to follow the direction and advice of local officials, Governors, and Mayors, many of whom the President will speak with later today," the White House said.
