15 January 2010 Update: After reading on Gawker and other sites that Yéle’s finances are less than squeaky, I’ve removed the link to their page. My apologies.
Watching the news unfold yesterday, I quickly heeded the call of Wyclef Jean and sent a financial donation to Yéle via text. I noticed others on Twitter recommending donations to the Red Cross, MercyCorps, Partners in Health and other organizations. Who to choose? Here is an alphabetical list, not meant to be comprehensive, of organizations currently mobilizing to bring help to Haiti. Most have donation buttons on their homepages. Please feel free to add more in the comments:
AmeriCares
This organization has been mobilizing emergency response efforts throughout the globe for over 25 years.
From the site:
AmeriCares is preparing to respond to a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti earlier today. The earthquake leveled a hospital in the Haitian capital city of Port-au-Prince.
Official casualty reports are being developed, but witnesses near the disaster could hear screams of people trapped inside the hospital. AmeriCares is pledging $5 million for the people of Haiti.
ICRC – International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is perhaps the best-known international provider of relief in times of disaster and emergencies.
Money can also be donated by phone at 816-931-8400 or 800-RED-CROSS.
To donate $10 via text message, text HAITI to 90999.
From the site:
The ICRC has joined its Red Cross partners to support the earthquake victims of Haiti. It is mobilizing resources and staff to respond to the earthquake in which thousands of people are feared to have died.
Médecins sans Frontièrs / Doctors without Borders
MSF provides medical care to people in danger all over the world.
Médecins Sans Frontièrs Website
From the site:
First reports are now emerging from MSF’s teams who were already working on medical projects Haiti when an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck the country early January 12. MSF staff immediately started treating hundreds of people injured and have been setting up clinics in tents to replace their own damaged medical facilities.
MercyCorps International
Mercy Corps “is a team of 3700 professionals helping turn crisis into opportunity for millions around the world. By trade, we are engineers, financial analysts, drivers, community organizers, project managers, public health experts, administrators, social entrepreneurs and logisticians. In spirit, we are activists, optimists, innovators and proud partners of the people we serve.”
From the site:
A major earthquake struck Haiti’s capital, collapsing buildings and disrupting communications. As the devastation comes into focus, Mercy Corps is deploying an emergency team.
Partners In Health
Founded by Dr. Paul Farmer, PIH has been providing community-based medical treatment to the citizens of Haiti since 1983.
From the site:
A major earthquake centered just 10 miles from Port-au-Prince has devastated sections of the city and knocked out telephone communications throughout the country.
In an urgent email from Port-au-Prince, Louise Ivers, our clinical director in Haiti, appealed for assistance from her colleagues in the Central Plateau: “Port-au-Prince is devastated, lot of deaths. SOS. SOS… Temporary field hospital by us at UNDP needs supplies, pain meds, bandages. Please help us.”
We are still in the midst of collecting information from all our sites in Haiti, and determining how we can best help with the recovery efforts in the areas hardest hit.
UNICEF
Unicef is a branch of the United Nations specifically devoted to assisting children worldwide.
From the site:
In coordination with all other UN agencies present on the ground, UNICEF will provide supplies to allow access to adequate sanitation, safe water and basic health care.
UNICEF is also preparing materials and staff so that children, tremendously vulnerable during natural catastrophes, are protected. UNICEF materials and advisors will assist so that children are able to continue learning and studying, and be provided safe recreation areas while their caretakers turn to rebuilding their lives.
