When a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean nation of Haiti on January 12, 2010, the death toll was staggering. Early estimates put the death toll around 200,000, while physical counts in the days afterward have confirmed over 70,000 and rising. Hundreds of thousands have been left homeless, and thousands of children have been orphaned.
Families all over the world have watched the reports, with their hearts pouring out -- but how can they help? Well, organizations from around the globe have sent relief packages to the struggling survivors and set up programs for people from every walk of life to help.
Donate to Haiti Relief Funds
For people in a position to donate monetarily, there are many programs and organizations that desperately need the help.
- The Salvation Army: Donations can be made online at salvationarmyusa.org, or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
- OXFAM: Donations can be made online at act.oxfamamerica.org.
- American Red Cross: They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund
SMS donations in the US only:
- SMS text “HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
- SMS text “YELE" to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
- SMS text "GIVE10" to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief
For a complete list of organizations accepting monetary donations, click here.
Help Haitian Orphans
"Tens of thousands of children are believed to have been orphaned in the quake, and their fate remains unclear," according to United Nations officials. The US Government loosened its visa requirements to expedite aiding some of the orphans and uniting them with families in the United States who were able to adopt them. According to Haitian officials, though, the children helped through that act were some 900 orphans who had already been prepared to be adopted by US families. Children who have been orphaned by the earthquake will also be helped by this down the line.
Stories have already come to the forefront of families, couples, and even individuals who have been seeking to adopt the children, whether they have been orphaned by the quake or by other means, most notably the 53 orphans who were airlifted to Pennsylvania on January 19th and were welcomed into new homes within a day's arrival.
For those looking to provide homes for the children affected by this disaster, you can go to visit UNICEF's website (www.unicef.org) and watch for updates.
Vounteering in Haiti
Traveling and getting relief and supplies into Haiti has been difficult, and, no doubt, getting volunteers will be the same, but there are a few organizations who are currently taking volunteers into the country to help the millions of victims.
"Many concerned citizens are looking for opportunities to volunteer in Haiti, but those are usually limited to people with technical skills in health or engineering, or people with prior disaster experience," according to petergreenburg.com.
But for those with the skills and experience, there are opportunities available to volunteer, like National Nurses United. The organization has over 10,000 volunteer nurses going to Haiti. If you are a certified nurse, you can volunteer through nationalnursesunited.org. If you would like to register your skills and seek opportunities to volunteer, please visit Center for International Disaster Information’s registration page.
There are countless ways to help those in need and we need to remember that the recovery process after any disaster lasts long after it has faded from the headlines. For those who are still looking for the best way to volunteer, donate, or help in any way, remember that those in need will still need you a week from now, a month from now, and a year from now. Rebuilding an entire nation will surely be a monumental task, but thanks to the millions who provide aid, there is hope.
Melisa Hesson - Melisa is the Marketing and Programs Director for energy efficiency and lighting company RAY-LITE Industries in Brea, CA. This position ...
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