Clinton and Bush Jr. Join Forces for Haiti

It's not uncommon for former presidents to lend a hand in the wake of natural disasters, but the situation in Haiti has brought together an unlikely couple if ever there was one.

Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are joining forces to lead private sector fundraising efforts for the island nation. And while the two might seem an odd couple, you might remember that when the tsunami devastated Indonesia back in 2004, Bush Jr. called on his father to join forces with Clinton to assist in relief efforts (with excellent results.) He then called on them again in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.

This time it was President Barack Obama who called on the two for help, and so far, they're presenting a united front. In a joint statement, Bush and Clinton said, "We are deeply saddened by the devastation and suffering caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti. The people of Haiti are in our thoughts and prayers ... In the days and weeks ahead, we will draw attention to the many ways American citizens and businesses can help meet the urgent needs of the Haitian people."

For starters, the two are reminding Americans that they can pledge $10 to relief work to the Red Cross by texting "HAITI" to 90999 on their cell phones. In just a matter of days, that mobile giving campaign alone has raised millions of dollars.

The two are scheduled to meet with Obama at the White House Saturday to hammer out the details of coordinating worldwide relief efforts for Haiti, reports the Associated Press.

Already, aid has poured in from the public, private and non-profit sectors around the world. White House political director Patrick Gaspard, himself a Haitian-American, said officials have been inundated with requests from Americans looking to help. The administration has launched an outreach campaign, particularly in areas with a large Haitian-American population, to coordinate those efforts, reports the AP.

But it's likely Haiti's need will go far beyond what anyone can now imagine. The country was already one of the poorest nations in the world, and with their infrastructure wiped out in the most populated area, the island nation will require long-term assistance. Obama says he's committed to providing that aid.

"We will do what it takes to save lives and help them get back on their feet," Obama said, reports the Washington Post.

Obama spoke to Haitian President René Préval Friday afternoon.

"He said that he has been extremely touched by the friendship and generosity of the American people," said Obama, according to the Post. "He said, 'From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the people of Haiti, thank you, thank you, thank you.'"

For more information on Bush and Clinton's fundraising efforts, click here and here, respectively.

Photo of President Clinton courtesy of Shawn Clark; photo of President Bush courtesy of Kelly, both via Wikimedia Commons.