Musician Wyclef Jean and Rev. Al Sharpton hosted a press conference Wednesday (Jan 27) in New York City to promote Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
Sharpton pledged to stand by Wyclef and his Yele Haiti Foundation despite the negative stories surrounding the non-profit at the media event, which was held at the National Action Network’s House of Justice in Harlem.
Jean for his part focused on his recent trip to his homeland, devastated by the January 12th earthquake, and urged President Barack Obama to make a “sustainable commitment” to rebuilding the country during his State of the Union address.
The singer, who has defended accusations leveled against the foundation in a Smoking Gun report, said he is working with Yele to deliver cooked meals, water and medical supplies to earthquake survivors.
Jean, 37, was born in Croix-des-Bouquets just eight miles north of Port-au-Prince. He returned to Haiti the day after the Jan. 22 “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon to raise funds for aid efforts. His foundation has raised a couple of million since the quake while the telethon, according to MTV, raised some $66 million.
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