U.S. President George W. Bush tried to reassure still struggling Katrina victims on Wednesday that he has not forgotten them, but warned that recovery will take a long time.

He made the remarks at the White House, ahead of the first anniversary of the devastating hurricane that hit U.S. Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005.

"It's a time to remember that people suffered and it's a time to recommit ourselves to helping them," Bush said.

"But I also want people to remember that a one-year anniversary is just that, because it's going to require a long time to help these people rebuild," he added.

Also present at Bush's speech was Rockey Vaccarella, a 41-year- old Katrina survivor who has traveled the country making a documentary about his road to recovery.

The speech is seen as part of White House's effort to counteract Democrats' plan to exploit the government's tardy response to Katrina and the slow recovery of Gulf Coast in the coming congressional elections.

According to Bush administration's Gulf Coast coordinator, Don Powell, a year after Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast, only 44 billion U.S. dollars of the 110 billion dollars earmarked for rebuilding the region have been spent.

"I have a sense of frustration, I have a sense of urgency all the time," said Powell.

Source: Xinhua