News / Politics

5 former US presidents attend hurricane relief concert

Sunday, 22 October 2017 9:05 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 22 October 2017 12:19 PM ]

(L-R) Former US Presidents, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton attend the Hurricane Relief concert in College Station, Texas, on October 21, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Five former US presidents have attended a concert held in Texas to raise money for victims of devastating hurricanes that have swept through southern United States and Caribbean, amid criticism of the Trump administration's inadequate response.

Former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter appeared onstage at Texas A&M on Saturday.

Sand and debris are left on the side of the road following powerful Hurricane Irma on September 12, 2017 in Marathon, Florida, in the Florida Keys. (Photo by AFP)

The concert reportedly helped raise over $31 million from 80,000 donors for the victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

"All of us on this stage here tonight could not be prouder of the response of Americans. When they see their neighbors and they see their friends, they see strangers in need, Americans step up," Obama said.

Carter said, "Let's all work together and make America still a greater volunteer nation."

"I too am here to urge you to give to this fine fund, and I want to thank all the volunteers," said the younger Bush.

Clinton said, "It can be a new beginning if we just do what we ought to do and prove that the heart of America, without race or religion or political party, is greater than our problems."

This file photo taken on October 3, 2017 shows US President Donald Trump (C) and First Lady Melania Trump visiting residents affected by Hurricane in Guaynabo, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Photo by AFP)

President Donald Trump, who had recorded a video message for the event, said the American people "came together as one" after a series of hurricanes hit Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in recent weeks.

He also thanked the five presidents for helping to spearhead the effort, describing them as "some of America's finest public servants."

A man returns from the grocery store through high water along a street in Orange as Texas slowly moves toward recovery from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey on September 6, 2017 in Orange, Texas. (Photo by AFP)

The hurricanes each posed different threats. While Harvey brought massive flooding, Irma triggered deadly storm surges, and Maria caused catastrophic high winds.

Harvey tore through Texas and then Louisiana in August, and Irma slammed Florida in September. Hurricane Maria ripped through the Caribbean in late September, devastating several islands, including Dominica and Puerto Rico, a US territory.

Trump has come under fire for his response to the hurricanes.

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