RENO, Aug 21 (AFP) - President Joe Biden departed for Hawaii on Monday (Aug 21) to view the widespread damage from recent Maui wildfires, meet with survivors and fend off criticism that his government was too slow to respond to the disaster.
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will arrive nearly two weeks after ferocious, wind-whipped blazes ripped through the historic town of Lahaina, claiming at least 114 lives.
The flames moved so quickly that residents and visitors were caught off-guard, trapped in the streets or jumping into the ocean to escape the worst natural disaster in Hawaii state's history.
After a helicopter tour of the damage, Biden is due to announce further relief funding and the appointment of a federal response coordinator.
Critics, including disgruntled survivors in Hawaii and some Republicans hoping to face Biden in next year's presidential election, say aid has been inadequate and poorly organised.
Former president Donald Trump said it was "disgraceful" that his successor had not responded more quickly, though the White House has said Biden delayed his trip so as not to distract officials and rescuers working on the ground.
Biden's spokeswomn, Olivia Dalton, told reporters aboard Air Force One that the president was expecting it to be "an emotional day" as he met with survivors.
"The president certainly intends to stand with them and make sure that he communicates to them that not only have we been there since day one, he intends for his administration to be there for as long as it takes," she said.
By visiting Hawaii, Biden will "experience the complete and utter devastation that this town had experienced," Deanne Criswell, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator, said Sunday on ABC's This Week.
"He's also going to be able to talk with people and hear their stories and provide a sense of hope and assurance that the federal government is going to be with them."
Biden, who took off from Nevada where he was vacationing, said in a statement that "I know nothing can replace the loss of life. I will do everything in my power to help Maui recover and rebuild from this tragedy."
