Washington ( CNN ) -- President Obama met Wednesday with Haitian President Rene Preval to discuss relief , recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti . The two leaders pledged to continue working for a more coordinated , sustained global relief effort to help Haiti recover from a massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck January 12 . Much of Haiti 's capital , Port-au-Prince , was destroyed , and more than 217,000 people were killed , according to the latest figures from international relief organizations . The situation on the ground in Haiti `` remains dire , '' Obama said at the White House . A continuing desperate need for food , medicine and shelter will be exacerbated by the onset of Haiti 's spring rain season , he said . `` You will continue to have a steady and reliable partner in the United States of America , '' Obama promised Preval . Preval extended his thanks `` not only for the material aid '' from the United States , but also for America 's `` psychological response , '' which made Haitians realize `` we were not alone . '' Washington has already provided $ 700 million in aid to Haiti . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday a donors conference is planned in New York for the end of March . More than half of all United States households have made private contributions to Haitian relief , Clinton said . Preval said Tuesday his country is working to get its election timetable rescheduled , telling reporters after meeting with Clinton that political stability is `` fundamental '' for the development of a country . `` I think that is what constitutes a guarantee for investors , for the population -- that there 's some guarantees , that there 's some security about their future , '' he said . Parliamentary elections set for February were postponed , and it is unclear whether a presidential election scheduled for the fall can proceed . Clinton said she assured Preval `` that the United States would work with the international community to hold elections as soon as appropriate . '' CNN 's Charley Keyes contributed to this report .
Rene Preval met January 12 with Haitian President Obama . The two discussed relief , recovery and reconstruction efforts in U.S. . Haiti had a massive two earthquake that struck January 12 . U.S. will continue to be `` a steady and reliable partner , '' Obama told Preval .