Watching the destruction in Haiti is heartbreaking. Many want to do something to help the victims, but don't know what to do.
The following is a consolidated quick guide for those individuals and organizations who want to help. (Note: This information is taken from guidance provided by FEMA, U.S Dept. of Homeland Security and the White House.) Individuals and organizations are requested to pass this along as you see fit.
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Locating Family Members
Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should contact the State Department: 1-888-407-4747.
Donate Cash
Cash is the most helpful donation. It allows professional, credible relief organizations to buy exactly what is needed most to help disaster victims. Cash donations minimize delays in collecting, packing, shipping and distributing goods and there is no added transportation cost.
Three ways to donate cash:
1) Contribute to the voluntary organization of your choice.
2) Contribute to one of the major non-profit organizations that are accepting cash donations to respond to this emergency, see
http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti.
3) Donate $10 to the Red Cross by simply texting "HAITI" to "90999." The donation will automatically be charged to your cell
phone bill.
Donate Goods
Donated goods are discouraged at this point due to limited resources for transporting, distributing and receiving such supplies.
Volunteer
Many non-profit organizations and faith-based groups respond to disasters and offer a wide range of services. However, volunteers without prior disaster relief experience are generally not selected for relief assignments. To learn more about the training involved and volunteering in future disasters with one of these organizations, visit www.nvoad.org www.serve.gov www.citizencorps.gov www.helpindisaster.org www.networkforgood.org
For more information, visit the Center for International Disaster Information ( www.cidi.org ) or call CIDI at 703-276-1914.