Five living former US presidents have joined forces to urge Americans to contribute to a fund that will be used to help those devastated by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana.
Presidents George HW Bush, Barack Obama, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter united to promote the charitable fund ‘One America Appeal’ that will aid the victims of Harvey.
Current US President Donald Trump yesterday tweeted his endorsement of the programme, saying that he stands behind the leaders and their efforts.
“We will confront ANY challenge, no matter how strong the winds or high the water. I’m proud to stand with Presidents for #OneAmericaAppeal,’ Trump wrote.
The group have reached out to American citizens directly to donate to the rebuilding efforts, which at this point are estimated to cost $180 billion.
“People are hurting down here, but as one Texan put it, ’We’ve got more love in Texas than water’,” George W Bush said in a video.
An account was made through the George HW Bush Presidential Library Foundation to collect donations — all of which will be given straight to the Houston Harvey Relief Fund and Michael Dell’s Rebuild Texas Fund.
The appeal ensures every penny will go to helping hurricane victims.
“Hurricane Harvey brought terrible destruction, but it also brought out the best in humanity,” Clinton said in the video.
Following Harvey’s destruction, hundreds of people banded together to rescue residents stranded by the floodwaters.
Houston Texans star JJ Watt raised $27 million for Harvey relief in just a few days, and helped distribute donated supplies at a local centre.
The ‘One American Appeal’ will expand to help Irma victims, too, once that damage has been surveyed.
The Category Five hurricane has devastated the Caribbean and caused states of emergency in Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
The five former presidents announced the programme during the National Football League’s season opener on NBC.