WASHINGTON- President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he has dispatched U.S. troops and ships to Haiti to assist in earthquake rescue and recovery efforts and told the Haitian people, You will not be forsaken.

Obama said in a televised statement that the United States will spend $100 million for immediate relief efforts from the earthquake that is believed to have killed tens of thousands of people.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick)

Barack obama