What is the best way to help the earthquake victims in Haiti?

[blisstwins]

My heart is breaking.

[o_mom]

Money to the agencies providing relief - check Red Cross as a start. 'Stuff' such as clothes, food, etc. will just cost money to sort, store and ship and may not be needed or useful by the time it gets there.

[marie]

I urge you to check out Partners in Health. I read Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains a few years ago (it's about Paul Farmer, founder of PIH), and I learned so much about the plight of Haiti's people and the challenges of those trying to provide health care for the world's most destitute.

http://www.pih.org/home.html

[TwinFoxes]

Money to the agencies providing relief - check Red Cross as a start. 'Stuff' such as clothes, food, etc. will just cost money to sort, store and ship and may not be needed or useful by the time it gets there.

:yeahthat: I remember after the tsunami doing a story on the random stuff people sent over. Sometimes out of misplaced kindness, others as a way of getting rid of excess crap and getting a write-off (I'm talking about companies sending things like coats). Save the Children is also a good place to start, they already have a strong presence in Haiti.

It just breaks my heart. If ever a country didn't need a huge natural disaster, it's Haiti.

[elliput]

Money to the agencies providing relief - check Red Cross as a start. 'Stuff' such as clothes, food, etc. will just cost money to sort, store and ship and may not be needed or useful by the time it gets there.

:yeahthat: Red Cross is always who I think of first (my mom was a RC disaster volunteer for several years). There are probably already volunteers on their way to the affected areas.

[o_mom]

Adding to my post above, here are a couple others that I have donated through in the past and who have experience in the area:

Doctors without Borders (http://www.doctorswithoutborders.com/)

ELCA Disaster Response (http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/Disaster-Response.aspx)

Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=a8712721ea326210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCR D)

[cindys]

When my in-laws lost their home and cars in the Ga flood we got tremendous help from www.SamaritansPurse.com (http://www.SamaritansPurse.com) ...

They send their people all over the world when disasters occur...

They are a wonderful organization..

[srhs]

I have friends in a team of 58 US women currently there. We gathered to pray for them and the people of Haiti this morning. The mission (Lifeline) there isn't really set up to be a trauma care center, but they are trying to meet people's medical needs while getting their kitchen up and running. Several hundred Haitians have come to the mission seeking help.

Updates here are direct updates on my friends:
http://www.lifeline.org/news/Haiti.htm WARNING: the 6am one contains harsh details

This is a Christan group, and I know that won't apply to everyone. But if anyone does want to contribute, the link is http://www.lifeline.org/2003/html/currentList.htm

And, P&PT please for the Haitians, this group, and my friends.

[lizzywednesday]

The Red Cross is already coordinating relief efforts and would probably be a great place to start.

They have a number of ways to donate, one of which is by text ... a friend of mine in the DC area posted the info on his Facebook.

A PP already posted the Red Cross website, so definitely start with them. They are still assessing the damage done ... it's overwhelming.

[daniele_ut]

From our local news here:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705358258/Red-Cross-flooded-with-phone-calls-from-Utahns-who-want-to-help-Haiti.html


Red Cross officials are asking people to carefully consider the best way they can help — which is most often a monetary donation or partnering with the Red Cross to raise money. . .

Donations to the Red Cross International Response Fund — used for international relief work — can be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or online at www.utahredcross.org (http://www.utahredcross.org/) and clicking on the "donate" tab.

At this point, Thomas said, monetary donations "are the very best way" for Utahns to help those in Haiti or other areas who need emergency response. Groups or organizations who want to raise funds or organize fundraisers to help the Haitian relief effort are encouraged to call Neva Baker at 801-323-7003 to coordinate those efforts through the Red Cross, she said.


We will donate to the Red Cross and to our church relief effort, which will be very significant. They are already sending hygiene kits and supplies for infants and are coordinating a more extensive relief effort with the government and disaster relief organizations.

[ZeeBaby]

I am glad to see someone posted about this. I am sure plenty are looking for information on a way to donate. Wyclef Jean (singer) has an organization dedicated to helping those in Haiti. Yele.org. 100% of any proceeds will go to relief efforts.

[maestramommy]

We usually donate to Red Cross, thinking that big agencies can get moving a lot faster.

[lizzywednesday]

I just saw this compilation of agencies and resources where you can direct aid to Haiti & quake victims in the NY Times:

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/haiti-disaster-relief-how-to-contribute/

(If you cannot access this link, you may need to register with the site. It's free and almost the entire paper is available online, so I never buy the print version unless I'm really jonesing for a crossword puzzle.)

[citymama]

Thanks for starting this thread. I usually give to MSF (Medecins Sans Frontieres) or Red Cross in such cases. I will also look at yele.org - thanks for the link. I know Oxfam also has an office in P-au-P.

It is truly heartbreaking and tragic.

[n2ou]

Didn't surf for very long, but the NJ Red Cross let's you donate through google checkout (for all the moms who never have their credit card at hand - like me).

http://www.tricountyredcross.org/2010/01/donate-to-support-haitan-earth.html

Any donation works.

[citymama]

Two other updates from various Twitterfeeds:

Help Haiti Earthquake Relief Donate $5 by texting YELE to 501501 right now

AND

Text 'HAITI' to #'90999' to donate $10 to the Red Cross relief fund

Your cell phone will get charged.

[noodle]

I give to Mercy Corps (http://www.mercycorps.org/).

[catpagmo]

You can also check the Red Cross page on facebook. They have a few links to donate through.

[citymama]

A Haitian friend of mine just sent out this list of relief organizations workingdirectly with relief efforts in Haiti right now:

* UNICEF is seeking donations to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in
Haiti and the Caribbean region through www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

*Partnership in Health is on the ground providing care in Haiti right now: www.pih.org

* Operation Helping Hands, a joint community project of The Miami Herald
and United Way-Miami, will be collecting donations to support the relief
effort in Haiti.

To make a contribution, go to www.iwant2help.org

* Mercy Corps established a Haiti Earthquake Fund, PO Box 2669,Portland,
OR 97208, www.mercycorps.org, 1-888-256-1900

• The Archdiocese of Miami is accepting financial donations to assist with recovery efforts for the earthquake victims in Haiti. People may send their donations to Catholic Charities, 1505 NE 26th St. Wilton Manors, FL 33305, Attention Earthquake Victims.

• The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) -- the natural disaster relief arm of the OAS -- was asking people who want to donate to visit its special relief website called www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

• The Red Cross is taking donations via text messages. Text the word HAITI to the number 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It'll show up on your phone bill. Or donate online at RedCross.org.

• Catholic Relief Services is responding to the aftermath of the massive
earthquake that struck near the capital of Port au Prince. www.crs.org.

• Doctors Without Borders is asking for donations to help the emergency response teams in Haiti. Donate with a debit or credit card at
https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.

[vonfirmath]

Personally, our favorite is Samaritan's Purse.

I still recall vividly the lesson I learned after 9/11/2001 -- just because the Red Cross is seeking donations because of a specific emergency that happens does not mean that money given the organization for that reason will be used for that emergency. It goes nto the pot and gets used for all of their activities.

I felt burned and have avoided giving to the Red Cross ever since.

[marie]

I still recall vividly the lesson I learned after 9/11/2001 -- just because the Red Cross is seeking donations because of a specific emergency that happens does not mean that money given the organization for that reason will be used for that emergency. It goes nto the pot and gets used for all of their activities.

I felt burned and have avoided giving to the Red Cross ever since.

thanks for posting this. This was my hunch but I didn't have any first-hand knowledge. NGO's with strong local connections are in the best position to provide immediate assistance and need $$ now.

[citymama]

Personally, our favorite is Samaritan's Purse.

I still recall vividly the lesson I learned after 9/11/2001 -- just because the Red Cross is seeking donations because of a specific emergency that happens does not mean that money given the organization for that reason will be used for that emergency. It goes nto the pot and gets used for all of their activities.

I felt burned and have avoided giving to the Red Cross ever since.

I would disagree. You can designate that the donation go specifically to a particular crisis and it will be allocated there. Of course, we don't know exactly what happens, but I was in SE Asia when the tsunami struck, and I was impressed that Red Cross was the first on the ground along with local groups. Ever since then, I always consider them and Doctors Without Borders in cases of crisis.

[MamaKath]

When my in-laws lost their home and cars in the Ga flood we got tremendous help from www.SamaritansPurse.com (http://www.SamaritansPurse.com) ...

They send their people all over the world when disasters occur...

They are a wonderful organization..
They are fantastic!!!

Also you can call you local law enforcement to see if they are sending Search and Rescue teams down. Many times individual LE officers and chaplains cover much of their own travel costs to go help.

[LMPC]

I'm so glad you started this thread OP! I gave today to UNICEF....I will also give to Save the Children. I think of how much $$$ I spent this holiday season on "stuff", and it suddenly doesn't feel like that big of a deal to donate a little more KWIM?!

[baymom]

We always give to Doctors Without Borders--they have extremely low overhead and are often the first international medical responders to these types of emergencies. They won the Noble prize a few years back and are definitely a very legit organizations and don't have any sort if religious agenda. In fact, they are one of the groups that we make an annual contribution to--we believe in their work that much.

[MontrealMum]

Just watched the nightly news and am all choked up after seeing our Governor General who is originally from Haiti.

I got an email today about Heifer International which is taking donations for Haiti. Also you can go here: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/01/13/f-emergency-contacts-haiti-relief-aid.html for a list of organizations accepting donations.

I have a friend who is on a teaching exchange with her husband and DD in Santo Domingo, and will probably approach her to see if there is a more "local' option. That's how I found out about the quake - she posted as her FB status that they were fine, and I thought, WTH is happening? Very sad.

[bubbaray]

The media here is reporting that MSF/Dr's without Borders has boots on the ground, as does World Vision. CNN just reported that the World Food Program is the only UN agency who's building in Haiti wasn't destroyed -- they were already there b/c Haiti is so poor.

If I were in the US, I would consider the World Food Program (UN agency) as they are there and its tax deductible in the US. DH and I are going to donate through MSF. In past crises we have donated through the Red CRoss, though in this situation it sounds like the Red Cross is not actually on the ground there.

FWIW, the Red CRoss in Canada does allow you to specify a specific emergency fund to donate to, as do most other NGOs.

I did a series of posters at work today setting out the list of charities for Canadians to donate through: MSF, World Vision, Red Cross, Unicef and Plan Canada are the ones I remember.

[bubbaray]

Just listening to Larry King -- Salvation Army is on the ground there too.

[stefani]

Our family has very close friends from Haiti. Right now there is no news of the mother, a sister was hurt, a brother was OK. My friend (who lives here) is distraught... please send P & PT to her family there, especially for the mother.

My in-laws recommended Project Hope to assist.

[GaPeach_in_Ca]

My sister recommended Partners in Health, as well, due to having the infrastructure in place.

[Naranjadia]

My sister recommended Partners in Health, as well, due to having the infrastructure in place.

Yes, according to Kidder in the article the PP linked to, Partners in Health is one of the largest health providers still standing in Haiti. It is run by both Haitians and Americans and there are 10 hospitals (and more clinics) still standing.

You can see from their website (http://www.pih.org/home2.html) that they are grappling with how to communicate (phones are down) and get supplies and extra medical personnel in. I'm hoping with all their experience they will be successful.

[shilo]

i know several people already linked to unicef, but the WFP (UN world food programme) also already has teams on the ground with more emergency rations on route. it's our international charity of choice b/c of the infrastructure emphasis they place on all their work beyond the emergent situation. you can also earmark specifically for haiti if that's your wish. time and again one of the most consistently highest vetted/reviewed charitable organizations.

www.friendsofWFP.org.

[citymama]

My sister recommended Partners in Health, as well, due to having the infrastructure in place.

:yeahthat: My Haitian friend (whose family is OK and accounted for) highly recommends PIH over any other group because of their presence in Haiti.

[klwa]

I know UMCOR is also accepting donations of STUFF as well as money. Our church is accepting donations to go to the Raleigh area holding facility. I need to run pick up items for health kits this afternoon to go.

[Sillygirl]

Another vote for Partners in Health. I had the opportunity to meet with Paul Farmer while I was a resident, and a number of my colleagues got very involved in Haiti working with PiH. At the time, we were talking about the AIDS crisis in Haiti, and he was insistent that poor people there deserve the same triple-therapy miracle as rich Americans. The amazing thing was, he actually made it happen.

Their clinics are outside Port-au-Prince, so they are still standing. They are swamped with injured people from the capital. Money sent there can be used very quickly, since the infrastructure already exists.

Slightly tangential - my sons' school is collecting soap, toothbrushes, etc to send to Haiti. I realize having something tangible to send makes things more real for the little kids - Jonathan has been asking a lot about the people in the earthquake who don't have houses now. But I know these donations, while well-intentioned, aren't really all that useful. I wish I could suggest that they be directed to a local homeless shelter instead, but I think it might be taken the wrong way.

[egoldber]

But I know these donations, while well-intentioned, aren't really all that useful.

Generally, they are worse than useless. They just create more "stuff" that needs to be managed and that takes resources away from other more critical needs. On the news this morning driving in, all the aid organization were emphasizing that what they need is money, not donations of things.

[hellbennt]

I'm a school counselor in miami, at an elem schl w/ a rather large haitian community...we've spent the past two days providing grief support to students...very sad...thank you everyone for your links...

[mama2g03]

Thank you OP for starting this thread and for all of the input from PPs. We decided to go with PIH based on all the positive feedback here. Just wanted to add one thing I read regarding using credit cards to make donations. Most credit cards still charge transaction fees in processing charitable donations - typically 3% which can add up to a lot when you add up all the money donated. Right now American Express and Visa are waiving their transaction fees for charitable donations until the end of February. Apparently the only credit card that always waves the fee for charitable donations is Capital One - so if you have a CO visa or mastercard you don't have to worry about it.

[srhs]

Regarding tangible donations, the school my friends are at already feeds Haitians, so they are collecting food in Ohio as they always do. There is a news story (from Channel 10 in Columbus OH) on their homepage (http://www.lifeline.org/index.html), and they continue to collect:

peanut butter
canned meat
baby formula
shoes
bedding

In one of her emails yesterday here (http://www.lifeline.org/news/Haiti.htm), the director says "We have about 1 container full of KAH food here and 2 in customs. So we have to try to begin feeding people." She also goes on to say "...see if it’s possible to send containers in and bypass the usual customs clearance process like we did in the fall of 2008."

(KAH = Kids Against Hunger (http://www.kidsagainsthunger.org/))

[marie]

Just wanted to add one thing I read regarding using credit cards to make donations. Most credit cards still charge transaction fees in processing charitable donations - typically 3% which can add up to a lot when you add up all the money donated. Right now American Express and Visa are waiving their transaction fees for charitable donations until the end of February. Apparently the only credit card that always waves the fee for charitable donations is Capital One - so if you have a CO visa or mastercard you don't have to worry about it.

Thanks for that info.

Also, to those for whom a financial donation isn't possible at this time - you can help by writing/calling your members of Congress and urging them to extend Temporary Protective Status for undocumented Haitians in the US. More info here:
http://www.transafricaforum.org/action-center/urgent-action/tps-haitians-jan13-10

[srhs]

Wanted to post that Lifeline has a few drives organized:
http://www.lifeline.org/projects/StatesideProjects_HaitiReliefDropOff.htm
Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Concord NC, North Branch MI
(Oregon and Florida locations soon)

Donation List: http://www.lifeline.org/projects/StatesideProjects_drives.htm

[Hit the ON sale today and walked out with every non-winter pair of shoes for under $3 ea.]

[kijip]

I give to Mercy Corps (http://www.mercycorps.org/).

Same here. And the Red Cross.

Television personalities have a track record of collecting a lot of money after a tragedy but then not using all that money for the tragedy. Yeah, I am talking to you Focus on the Family and 700 Club. Don't give there if you care about maximum public benefit.

[kijip]

If you want to donate stuff, organize a sale and then donate the money to relief efforts. I have a friend selling all her high end gently used baby gear and donating the money to the Red Cross.

[MontrealMum]

If you're Canadian and donate to a registered Canadian charity the governement will match your donation up to $50 mil. Details on CBC website.

[bubbaray]

Another FYI for Canadians, make sure you check the status of the charity you donate too if you want to donate to (a) a legitimate charity and (b) one that will give you a tax receipt -- for example, the World Food Plan is NOT listed (though claims on their website to give Canadian tax receipts), nor is Partners in Health (though the Canadian media is telling people to donate to them).

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/advancedsearch-eng.action

[TwinFoxes]

Slightly tangential - my sons' school is collecting soap, toothbrushes, etc to send to Haiti. I realize having something tangible to send makes things more real for the little kids - Jonathan has been asking a lot about the people in the earthquake who don't have houses now. But I know these donations, while well-intentioned, aren't really all that useful. I wish I could suggest that they be directed to a local homeless shelter instead, but I think it might be taken the wrong way.

Maybe you can suggest they give it to a shelter if they have a hard time getting it into the country. Which they will. Governments are having difficulties getting supplies in because the airport is overwhelmed. Little known NGOs (let alone a well meaning elementary school) are going to find it next to impossible I imagine. It's a different situation than after hurricanes etc, because there are so many aircraft trying to get in. I still say $$ is what's needed.

[srhs]

Gosh, was the nay-saying about tangible items after my post in response to it?
Because these people are ON THE GROUND feeding Haitians NOW and have been for 25 years. They are already established. They collect the same and similar items yearround. Hundreds to thousands of Haitians are camping on their grounds. Are the donations going to get there next week? No. But the ones already on the way are going to be depleted very quickly.

They just got the injured American woman OUT by helicopter today so they are definitely able to communicate and continue their work.

I agree $$ is desperately needed, but I don't see that as a reason to discourage goods to established charities. Some people are also very leery of donating cash, but they will add a few items to their grocery cart.

If someone doesn't want to donate to a Christian mission type charity, I totally get that. And if you are deciding between stuff and cash, definitely go cash. But there's no reason to discourage goods that are a genuine need with a genuine route into needy hands.


(Sorry, I am emotional worrying about my friends, praying they are able to help and comfort there. Their husbands have shared the emails, and I am impacted.)

[TwinFoxes]

Gosh, was the nay-saying about tangible items after my post in response to it?

If someone doesn't want to donate to a Christian mission type charity, I totally get that. And if you are deciding between stuff and cash, definitely go cash. But there's no reason to discourage goods that are a genuine need with a genuine route into needy hands.


(Sorry, I am emotional worrying about my friends, praying they are able to help and comfort there. Their husbands have shared the emails, and I am impacted.)

I can only speak for myself, but mine wasn't. But I doubt an elementary school or other well meaning but ill equipped folks will get their stuff to Haiti (I was referring to Sillygirls frustration at her son's school).

I'm a Christian and have no problem giving to Christian organizations.

I'm glad your friends are able to help, it's definitely needed. :hug:

[egoldber]

goods to established charities

I think what most are speaking to is the well meaning, but ill coordinated, drives by schools, work, etc. I think Haiti is a bit unique in that most major world charities, (Red Cross, Save the Children, Doctors without Borders, and many other) already have a strong, organized presence there.

So I think people responding to the specific donation requests from these organized, well-prepared charities is very different from an unorganized collection by a group that will then have no idea how to make that donation an effective one.

[srhs]

I think what most are speaking to is the well meaning, but ill coordinated, drives by schools, work, etc. I think Haiti is a bit unique in that most major world charities, (Red Cross, Save the Children, Doctors without Borders, and many other) already have a strong, organized presence there.

So I think people responding to the specific donation requests from these organized, well-prepared charities is very different from an unorganized collection by a group that will then have no idea how to make that donation an effective one.
I know you're right. Sorry for being overly sensitive!

[Globetrotter]

Don't forget company matching donations, if they do that. That's our plan, though we have to figure out how it works.

[Bens Momma]

Many great organizations suggested in this thread. It's DIRE down there, please consider donating if you haven't already done so.

[hillview]

I urge you to check out Partners in Health. I read Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains a few years ago (it's about Paul Farmer, founder of PIH), and I learned so much about the plight of Haiti's people and the challenges of those trying to provide health care for the world's most destitute.

http://www.pih.org/home.html

:yeahthat:
/hillary