The Earthquake in Haiti, Charity & What You Can Do
January 19th, 2010 by *Scarlett
As haunting images of mass grave reminiscent to what we’ve seen of the holocaust, along with the faces of a nation left starving and without the basic necessities are plastered across the news, the world’s population is left in shock, scrambling to do what they can for the survivors of the devastating Haitian Earthquake. There is no way to tell how many people have actually lost their lives at this point, however the estimates range anywhere from the 50,000 (American Red Cross) to 200,000 ( Lieutenant General Ken Keen). As each day passes the news grows darker and less promising. 1500 rescue personnel and as many as 115 search and rescue dogs have been deployed to the area, but with 85% of the buildings in Leogane destroyed and 60% of the town of Jacmel leveled it may be some time before we can get a an accurate picture of just how devastating the aftermath is.
In addition, to those who lost their lives, The International Organization of Migration has estimated that 200,000 families, comprising up to one million people, need immediate shelter and non-food assistance, while the UN estimates three million people were effected, while 300,000 are without a home. Many agencies as well as private citizens have stepped up to assist this ravaged nation. USAID and associates have provided 7,100 metric tons of emergency food aid in Haiti and so far the United States as provided $87 million in humanitarian aid. US military helicopters airlifted 27,000 humanitarian daily rations from Guantanamo Bay to Port-au-Prince. The elite paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division have been delivering more than 70,000 bottles of water and 130,000 rations around the clock.
Save the Children administered water, food and hygiene supplies to 2,000 people at a hospital this past Saturday, and 1,000 families received water and clothing kits from World Vision. A British Red Cross convoy from the Dominican Republic has set up a 300-bed field hospital. Three USAID and office of US foreign disaster assistance water treatment facilities have arrived on C-130 aircraft. They have a combined capacity of 300,000 liters of drinking water a day. The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, docked off Port-au-Prince, has delivered 30 pallets of relief supplies to be transported to distribution points, State Department said. The International Organization for Migration said that in Jacmel, it had distributed 18,000 aquatabs, 600 jerry cans, 300 hygiene and kitchen kits, 600 mosquito nets, as well as plastic sheeting and tarpaulins. Even with all of that, however, The people of Haiti still have a long way to go, and they need your help.
Many celebrities, musicians and politicians have also made pleas with their fans to get involved with the disaster relief. Alyssa Milano has donated $500,000.00 to UNICEF and issued the following challenge to corporations ““Tweet challenge I just donated $50,000 to UNICEF for #Haiti relief. Which corporation will match my donation?”". So far no takers, but her fans have certainly followed suit in her giving spirit.
Actor/Director/Photographer Norman Reedus has also been touched by the tragic events in Haiti, updating his Twitter to reflect his sympathy for the victims in Haiti and announcing profits from his 3 Short Films Box Set will go directly to the relief efforts in Haiti. “http://bit.ly/8VmCN9 SALES GOING TO HAITI RELIEF. GET EM WHILE THEYRE HOT. (some new artwork on em too)”. He did not raise the price in order to make a profit, he simply recognized the need for help and Mr. Reedus answered the humanitarian call. True to his word, Mr. Reedus uploaded a twitpic of the first batch of Haitian relief orders. From what I understand, he is also working on an additional way to raise both funds and awareness, though I do not have specific details at press time.
Musical Artists Linkin Park are leading the charge for a musical project called Download to Donate for Haiti featuring such artists as Peter Gabriel, Linkin Park, Lupe Fiasco, Dave Matthews Band, Alanis Morisette and more contributing previously unreleased songs to help out the cause.
Regardless of if you are moved to help out due to compassion, celebrity influence or some other motivation, there are many ways that you can help including donating to UNICEF and.or CARE. UNICEF is my personal choice at the moment as 100% of donations go directly to the the relief effort. I myself have given to them ”UNICEF is providing clean water, hygiene supplies, therapeutic foods, medical supplies and temporary shelter. UNICEF will also be focusing on children who have become separated from their families to protect them from harm or exploitation. CARE plans to start food distributions using stocks of high-protein biscuits from CARE warehouses in Haiti.
Also accepting cash and in-kind donations are the following sites: Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, UNICEF (1-800-4UNICEF), Direct Relief, Yele Haiti, Partners in Health, Red Cross, World Food Program, Mercy Corps (1-888-256-1900), Save the Children, Lambi Fund, Doctors Without Borders, The International Rescue Committee, Care, William J. Clinton Foundation, Meds & Food For Kids, Feed the Children, Habitat for Humanity, and the Mayor’s Fund for NYC
The following organizations are accepting 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
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Tags: 3 Short films, blogcatalog, bloggers unite, haiti, norman reedus, philanthropy