Haiti Earthquake Relief: How You Can Help It's very easy to
contribute: Here are several several organizations that are already
providing relief.
In the wake of Tuesday's devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti,
artists like Haitian native Wyclef Jean have already put out the
call for help. Now, here's your chance.
And while the full extent of the damage to the island and its
people was unclear at press time, there's no doubt that it is
catastrophic, and several charities are en route or already on the
ground, providing assistance. According to
Charity
Navigator, an independent evaluator working to "advance a
more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace," here are
some of the very best organizations, all of which are in need of
donations — and head over to
Think.MTV.com for more information.
It's very easy to contribute — here's how you can:
My Heart
For Haiti is a Christian, international, nonprofit relief
organization with headquarters in Orange, NJ that supports schools,
orphanages and faith based organizations by delivering food,
medicine, clothing and other necessities to individuals, children
and families who lack these essentials. (MyHeart4Haiti is a
foundation under Mt of Olives Church of God, Inc).
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New
Jersey for Haiti is a collection of government agencies,
non-profit organizations, faith-based agencies, businesses, and
citizens dedicated to providing relief and assistance in
coordinating the outpouring of support that citizens of New Jersey
have offered to the victims of this disaster.
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The American
Red Cross has a full-time staff on the ground in Haiti,
providing ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness
programs, and has already pledged an initial $200,000 to assist
communities impacted by the earthquake. They seek additional
donations to continue providing food, water, temporary shelter,
medical services and emotional support.
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UNICEF saw its offices in Port-au-Prince
suffer heavy damages in the earthquake, but is ready to provide
relief, deploying "essential aid" — safe water, sanitation
supplies, therapeutic foods, temporary shelter materials and
medical supplies — to assist in recovery efforts.
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Yele
Haiti is Wyclef's own charitable organization, and has
established an online donation site to help victims of the
earthquake. Through his Twitter account, he's also asking his fans
to lend a hand, by making a $5 donation by texting YELE to 501
501.
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Direct
Relief International is a U.S.-based organization that
provides medical assistance to impoverished nations, and has
committed up to $1 million to aid emergency response efforts.
Already, they have sent two 40-by-20-foot containers packed with
more than $420,000 of medicine, supplies and food to St. Damien
Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince.
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World
Vision has worked in Haiti for 30 years, and is seeking
donations to provide victims with food, water, blankets and
tents.
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Operation
USA already operates in Haiti, and is sending medical aid,
water-purification supplies and food supplements to the nation.
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Convoy of
Hope has established a command center just outside of
Port-au-Prince, and is distributing food, water and supplies to the
victims of the earthquake.
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Samaritan's Purse is a Christian organization
that, for over 35 years, has provided assistance to victims of
natural disaster, war, disease and famine. In Haiti, they are
helping survivors with food, water and temporary shelter.
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Also, the State Department has set up a toll-free number to call
for information about family members in Haiti: (888) 407-4747.