Harris helps pack relief boxes for hurricane victims in North Carolina

On October 12, Harris joined volunteers packing diapers, formula, baby wipes, pain relievers and other supplies for victims of Hurricane Helene, which swept through western North Carolina last month.

Greg Hatem, owner of The Pit Authentic Barbecue in Raleigh, who helped pack the boxes, said it “takes a village” to prepare the boxes. “You’re absolutely right,” Harris responded.

Ms. Harris helps pack diapers into aid boxes in Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 12. Photo: AP

The vice president stayed overnight in North Carolina, which backed Republican candidate Donald Trump in 2020. Democrats are campaigning hard to win North Carolina in next month's presidential election.

This is Harris’ second trip to the battleground state of North Carolina since it was hit by Hurricane Helene. The Democratic presidential candidate visited North Carolina on October 5 to survey the aftermath of Helene and pledge federal assistance to victims.

Before the plane left Washington for North Carolina, Harris said she wanted to talk to residents first to see how they were doing after the storm.

Democrats see North Carolina as leaning toward them this year with black and college-educated voters, as well as women concerned about losing abortion rights.

Making landfall on September 26, Hurricane Helene killed an estimated 230 people and destroyed roads, power lines, and cell phone service. Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton hit Florida, causing an estimated $50 billion in damage and many more deaths.

Harris also traveled to Georgia after Hurricane Helene hit the state. She will continue to campaign in Nevada and Arizona this week.

One of her key messages is that companies should not take advantage of shortages to push up prices, an issue she has made central to her campaign as a way to tackle inflation.

Meanwhile, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has become a political flashpoint as former President Donald Trump and his allies have criticized the Biden administration's response to the natural disaster.

At a recent rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, Mr. Trump said the current U.S. government response to Hurricane Helene was worse than Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which killed nearly 1,400 people and caused $200 billion in damage.

“North Carolina has been hit very hard and this administration has not done a good job. It’s horrible,” Mr. Trump said at the rally.

Ngoc Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ba-harris-dong-goi-hop-cuu-tro-cho-cac-nan-nhan-trong-con-bao-post316618.html