As the country of Haiti continues to reel after the massive 7.0 earthquake disaster that rocked Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, aid is staring to pour in, but for some it is too late. Some estimate that over 100,000 people are feared dead, and thousands injured with no shelter, clean water, or medical care for their injuries. Adding to this is the endless violence, political unrest, and poverty that plagues this country. In fact, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the country’s history paired with this natural disaster, “biblical, the tragedy that continues to daunt Haiti and the Haitian people.” It is absolutely devastating and many of you have asked me how you can help. Below is a list from the ABC 7 website of reputable charities and groups dedicated to aiding the people of Haiti during this time.
– InterAction, a coalition of U.S.-based international non-governmental organizations, has a list of agencies responding and how to donate to them. Find it here: http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The State Department has set up a toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747. (Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording.)
To help with relief efforts, cell phone users can text “HAITI” to “90999” and $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross, charged to your cell phone bill.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross pledged an initial $1 million to assist those affected by the devastation. The American Red Cross has partnered with the Haitian Red Cross, which is leading the response efforts.
People can donate by phone at (800) RED-CROSS or (800) 257-7575. Those who wish to donate by mail can do so by contacting their local Red Cross chapter or by mailing a donation to the following address:
- American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington D.C. 20013
Make donation online:
REGISTERED NURSE RESPONSE NETWORK
More than 700 registered nurses from across the U.S. have responded in just a few hours to the call by the nation’s largest organization of registered nurses for volunteers to provide assistance to residents of earthquake-devastated Haiti.
- RNRN hotline: (800) 578-8225
- http://www.calnurses.org/rnrn/
MERCY CORPS
Mercy Corps has set up a Haiti earthquake fund. People can donate by phone at (888) 256-1900 or online:
Those who wish to donate by mail can send a check to the follow address:
- Mercy Corps
Dept W
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208-2669
UNICEF
Call to donate:
- (800) FOR-KIDS (367-5437)
Send donation by mail (must print form from Web site):
- U.S. Fund for UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
Make donation online:
AMERICARES
Call to donate:
- (800) 486-4357
Make donation online:
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Call to donate:
- (888) 392-0392
Make donation by mail (must print form from Web site):
- Doctors Without Borders USA
P.O. Box 5030
Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030
Make donation online:
CARE
Call to donate:
- (800) 521-CARE (521-2273)
Make donation by mail (must print form from Web site):
- CARE
Gift Center
PO Box 1871
Merrifield VA 22116-9753
Make donation online:
PARTNERS IN HEALTH
Make donation by mail (must print form from Web site):
- Partners In Health
P.O. Box 845578
Boston, MA 02284-5578
Make donation online:
WORLD FOOD PROGAMME
Make donation online:
OPERATION USA
Call to donate:
- (800) 678-7255
Make donation by mail:
- Operation USA
3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A
Culver City, CA 90232
Make donation online:
SAMARITAN’S PURSE
Call to donate:
- (800) 528-1980
Make donation by mail (must print form from Web site):
- Samaritan’s Purse
P.O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607-3000
Make donation online:
OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL
Call to donate:
- (757) 226-3401
Make donation online:
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
Make donation by mail (must print form from Web site):
- Action Against Hunger – USA Donations
247 West 37th Street, 10th floor
New York, NY 10018
Make donation online:
OXFAM AMERICA
Call to donate:
- 800-77-OXFAM (800-776-9326)
Make donation by mail (must print form from Web site):
- Oxfam America
Haiti Earthquake Response Fund
P.O. Box 1211
Albert Lea, MN 56007-1211
Make donation online:
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS
Call to donate:
- (800) 481-4462
Make donation by mail:
- ATTN: Development Department
International Medical Corps
1919 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 400
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Make donation online:
INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE
Call to donate:
- 877-REFUGEE (1-877-733-8433)
Make donation by mail:
- International Rescue Committee
P.O. Box 96651
Washington, DC 20090-6651
Make donation online:
WORLD RELIEF CORPORATION
Make donation online:
HOPE FOR HAITI
Make donation online:
FOOD FOR THE POOR
Make donation online:
WORLD VISION
Make donation online:
YELE HAITI EARTHQUAKE FUND
To donate $5 to Wyclef Jean’s Haitian Yele charity, text 501501. The money will be added to your next phone bill.
Make donation online:
HELPING HANDS 4 HAITI
You can drop off infant/child/adult shoes and clothing (including socks, undergarments, sheets, blankets etc) at these three locations:
- 1881 Walnut St La Verne, Ca 91750 (Drop off anytime)
- Universal Lofts -3450 Cahuenga Blvd West 90068, Los Angeles Ca Loft #603 (Between hours of 10am-6pm)
- 28649 Vista Madera, Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca 90275 (Drop Off anytime)
Contact information: Dina Joseph
- Phone: (310) 467-7485
- Twitter: JodiJos
- Facebook: Jodi Joe