Obama vows immediate help for hurricane victims

Washington - US President Barack Obama Wednesday promised quick and continued federal help for Americans affected by Hurricane Sandy, as he toured New Jersey state to inspect the damage caused by the superstorm, Xinhua reported.

With just one week to go before the 2012 presidential election, Obama has suspended his re-election campaign to respond to the superstorm.

Speaking on a marina in New Jersey's island city of Brigantine, Obama told the storm victims: "We are here for you. We will not forget. We will make sure you get all the help you need to rebuild."

The president stressed the federal government was focused on helping those worst-hit states, including New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

"We will not quit until this is done," he added.

Before making the statement, Obama took an aerial tour of some of the areas most affected by the storm, accompanied by New Jersey governor Chris Christie and Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA) administrator Craig Fugate, according to the White House.

The president arrived earlier in the day at Atlantic city, where the storm made landfall Monday night. After the helicopter ride, Obama and the officials visited storm victims sheltered at a community centre in Brigantine, northeast of Atlantic City.

Obama promised the victims that federal help will be there for the "long haul".

The president also lavished praise for Governor Christie, who he said "is working overtime" to respond to the disaster.