In remarks made at an appearance at the National Institutes of Health Wednesday, September 30 2009, President Obama declared American Samoa a “major disaster” and announced the deployment of resources, promising a “full, swift and aggressive response” to yesterday’s earthquake-triggered tsunami.

Offering sympathies on behalf of himself and Michelle Obama for those who have already perished in the disaster, the President announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in “close and constant contact” with the country’s emergency responders and that the US Coast Guard has deployed resources to those areas needing immediate assistance.

The US is also ready to send aid and resources to neighboring Samoa and other affected surrounding regions.

“Going forward, we will continue to provide the resources necessary to respond to this catastrophe, and we will keep those who have lost so much in our thoughts and prayers,” said the President.