Saturday, January 16, 2010

A break from parental alienation.....Haiti

By now, I am sure everyone is aware of the tragedy in Haiti. A 7.0 earthquake struck in Haiti on Tuesday January 12, 2010, 16 miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti...the capital of Haiti. Most hospitals were damaged in this quake. The death toll is undetermined at this time, but it most likely will surpass 100 thousand people. A number of public figures died in the earthquake, including government officials, clergy members, musicians, and foreign civilian and military personnel working with the United Nations. The devestation is unimaginable.


Haiti is a third world country and most of us could not imagine the living conditions prior to this earthquake. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty.


There are numerous ways to help and I would suggest checking out any organization before you send donations. I have copied and pasted a few ways to donate as well as sites that list the organizations. Also please be careful if you searching online for ways to donate. I have found sites that are scams and they intend to download malware to your computer.

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
•As a UN Special Envoy to Haiti, Bill Clinton appeared on CNN on Wednesday to ask for further assistance in bringing relief to populations on the ground. You can donate through the Clinton Foundation or text HAITI to 20222 to donate $10.

Mercy Corps is sending a team of emergency responders to assess damage, and seek to fulfill immediate needs of quake survivors. The agency aided families after earthquakes in Peru in 2007, China and Pakistan in 2008, and Indonesia last year. Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund; Dept NR; PO Box 2669; Portland, OR 97208.
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/disaster_haiti