I am Haitian, you are Haitian, today we are all Haitians because we are all humans. Two days after the tragic earthquake that hit Haiti relief efforts are now underway. Today, President Obama addressed the nation and outlined how the United States is helping (read full text) . Search and rescue teams are mobilizing, food, water and much medical supplies are starting to arrive and the U.S. has pledged $100 million in aid to Haiti. As the U.S. government embarks upon what will probably be one of the largest relief efforts in history. Many of us are wondering how we can help. I wanted to enumerate some legitimate organizations which will also provide aid to Haiti. I implore everyone to do something, anything to aid in the humanitarian efforts in Haiti. At this time, most disaster relief organizations agree that cash is the best way to help bring immediate relief to Haiti, however there are other ways to help.
- Donate $5 to Yele Haiti by texting YELE to 501501. Your cell phone bill will be charged (100% of proceeds benefit Haiti earthquake relief)
- Donate $10 to the Red Cross to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting “HAITI” to “90999.” (If you are Creole-speaking, you can also aid by helping to man phone lines. Contact your local Red Cross for further information)
- Contribute online to the Red Cross,
- CARE (www.care.org)
- Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org)
- Find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information.
Here are a a few local grass-roots organizations:
- The Haitian Alliance (Atlanta)
- The Lathan Mission (New York)
- Family Outreach Ministries (Atlanta) (If you need your items picked up, call them at (770) 402-5161) You can drop off items (clothing, blankets, baby items) for the Family Outreach Ministries at: 151 14th Street (Old Office Dept) between the hours of 9AM-6PM.
- IS 68 (Brooklyn, NY) – Bring cash or checks (write Haiti in memo field) to IS 68 (Isaac Bildersee Middle School) – 956 East 82nd Street Brooklyn, NY 11236 | (718) 241-4800 |. There is also a special community meeting on Saturday, January 16th at 6:00pm.
