Barack Obama visits New Orleans

Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle Obama, visit newly built homes in the Columbia Parc development in New Orleans Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

A man carries a commemorative wreath during a parade in the Lower Ninth ward Photograph: Lee Celano/Reuters

The Obamas in the Columbia Parc development Photograph: Carolyn Kaster/AP

A mourner holds a banner listing the names of victims during a healing ceremony at the site of the Lower Ninth ward levee breach. The levee has since been rebuilt by the Army Corps of Engineers. It cost more than $14bn (£9bn) to fix and upgrade all the levees and other storm defences Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Obama listens to Maude Smith and her grandson David Robichaux Jr in their home in the Columbia Parc development Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

A young Mardi Gras participant marches in a parade in the Lower Ninth ward Photograph: Lee Celano/Reuters

Darrion Welch, nine, cycles with her friend Jamia Rainey, eight, back to their homes in the Lower Ninth ward Photograph: Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Obama greets people as he and his family arrive for lunch at Parkway Bakery and Tavern Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Jon-Devin Carrer dances along Royal Street in the French Quarter durning a funeral procession marking the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina Photograph: Sean Gardner/Getty Images

The Obamas greet spectators at Xavier University Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters

Mourners pray during a healing ceremony at the site of the Lower Ninth ward levee breach Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images