Helping Haiti
Photo Source: mark ovaska
Relief efforts are still underway in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti over one week ago. The death toll is now estimated at 200,000 and 5,500 Americans are still unaccounted for. Below is a comprehensive list from The Huffington Post of organizations seeking donations to continue their relief efforts. Please help in whatever way you can.
•The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund.
•Clinton Bush Haiti Fund is being run by former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and was created at the behest of President Obama. They oversee the CBHF through their respective nonprofit organizations, the William J. Clinton Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas. One hundred percent of the donations made to the Clinton Foundation and ninety-nine percent of the donations made to the Communities Foundation of Texas go directly to relief efforts.
•Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean is raising funds for emergency earthquake relief through his nonprofit organization Yele Haiti. Text YELE to 501501 to give $5 to the fund. Yele Haiti came under scrutiny this week for potential improper allocation of funds. Wyclef Jean responded to these accusations on Saturday on YouTube and again on Monday in a press conference.
•UNICEF has issued a statement that “Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them.” UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.
•Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles. Donate online at http://www.opusa.org/, by phone at 1-800-678-7255 or by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.
•Save The Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to their fund to provide medical attention and clean water to children and families.
•International Medical Corps is assembling a team of first responders and resources to provide lifesaving medical care and other emergency services to survivors of the earthquake. The IMC previously helped recovery efforts after September 2009’s earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia and the massive 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Donate to the International Medical Corps through their 24-hour hotline at 800-481-4462
•Ben Stiller’s Stillerstrong campaign will be temporarily diverting all donations to support the Haiti relief effort.
•Artists For Peace and Justice is a relatively new organization with an advisory board of prominent celebrity activists, including Maria Bello, Madeleine Stowe, Charlize Theron, Oliver Stone and Josh Brolin. Founded by filmmaker Paul Haggis, the group originally sought to help build functional schools in impoverished regions in Haiti. Since the earthquake, they’ve directed all of their funds to recovery efforts, with a focus on helping to rebuild schools, hospitals and orphanages.