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Samantha Power, USAID administrator under the Biden-Harris administration, posted a video on Friday highlighting U.S. efforts to help Ukraine maintain electricity and heating.
The video drew criticism as nearly 700,000 American homes and businesses were experiencing power outages following Hurricane Helene. Given the pressing domestic challenges, many found the timing of her message out of touch.
“I’m here in an energy substation in the western region of Ukraine. This substation provides enough power for around 500,000 residents of this area,” Power says in the video. “I’m standing in front of an auto transformer that used to provide power, but that Putin’s forces destroyed back in 2022. As we head into winter, knowing that Putin is intent on attacking critical infrastructure, USAID is doubling our investments in replacing auto transformers that have been damaged or destroyed, and in providing protection to the energy infrastructure that remains. Thanks to the support of the American people, USAID is working with Ukrainians to keep the lights on and the heat going this winter.”
According to NBC News, nearly 700,000 homes and businesses in the U.S. remain without power after Hurricane Helene, with over 260,000 outages in South Carolina, 215,000 in North Carolina, and significant outages in Georgia and Virginia.
How Americans are helping Ukraine keep the lights and heat on despite Putin’s attacks: pic.twitter.com/29f1AxpgR7
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) October 4, 2024
Samantha Power’s video on U.S. aid to Ukraine, posted amid these widespread power outages, sparked frustration among Americans affected by the storm, especially in hard-hit areas like Asheville, North Carolina. Photographer Anna Hitrova, who had been without power for nine days, expressed her frustration to Breitbart News after seeing Power’s post.
“I am watching this video in a house without power. The sun has just set. So you are making sure the lights stay on in Ukraine while thousands of Americans are currently still sitting in the dark,” Hitrova posted on X.
I am watching this video in a house without power. The sun has just set.
So you are making sure the lights stay on in Ukraine while thousands of Americans are currently still sitting the dark. https://t.co/9NGAkgjZqB
— Anna Hitrova (@redrose_anna) October 4, 2024
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