Thursday, January 14, 2010

Haiti Relief Facts and Resources

I wanted to compile all the resources floating through the news and Twitter so that people wishing to help can best focus their efforts. Please add to my list via comments and by contacting me. I will update as necessary whenever possible.

Cautions
- If you want to contribute to a charity, either donate to a charity that already has a presence and a good reputation or carefully research to whom you're donating. If you're solicited for donations by an organization or find one that you haven't verified before, go online and find impartial verification that the organization is legitimate.  A lot of sick people are trying to profit from this tragedy.  This link has advice from the BBB about  finding trustworthy charities as well as links to directories you can trust: http://www.kval.com/news/81341017.html

- A lot of hoaxes are circulating based on rumors and wishful thinking on the part of people in the news in social media. Don't trust any information unless it comes from a VERIFIED source actively involved in the Haiti rescue and rebuilding efforts. Example: American Airlines is NOT soliciting medical professionals to fly for free to Haiti, but they are organizing an aid program http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/14/haiti.airlines.aid/

- When in doubt, go with the Red Cross. Ideally, all the money is getting there regardless of who you donate to, so long as they're legitimate. We know the Red Cross is on top of this, so try one of their venues for aid if you're short on time.

Resources
- Anyone can text from their mobile to donate $10 to the Red Cross. From the article: "In the Red Cross' case, phone users can text the word "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10," and when prompted, hit "YES" to confirm the donation." The $10 donation will be added to your cellular bill. Verizon and T-Mobile will not count the text message against your text total, and you will not be charged if you have no texts available. Note that texting is more reliable than visiting the Red Cross's website, as they maybe be over-trafficked.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34850532/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/

-Also, Yele, Wyclef Jean's foundation, is accepting text message donations. Also from the above story: "[send] a phone text-message [containing YELE] to 501501 to contribute" $5 to their Haitian relief efforts. You can donate up to six times per phone number through this method. Yele is not currently accepting donations through their website. 
Personal note: I chose to donate through Yele.

-Donate directly to the Red Cross via this website. Note, this is a donation to the entire Red Cross organization, not just to Haiti.
https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=1204425599&df_id=4382&4382.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=vxk2t7yzf1.app195a

-The Haiti Emergency Relief Fund, organized by the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, is a religion-affiliated human rights group that is accepting donations for relief efforts: http://www.haitiaction.net/About/HERF/HERF.html

- The Huffington Post has already compiled a phenomenal list that I will post an excerpt from and link. From The Huffington Post: "UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund [ http://www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake ]. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/haiti-earthquake-relief-h_n_421014.html

-From WRAL in Raleigh: "WRAL is teaming with the Red Cross to get your help to Haiti. The greatest need is money to help with rescue, recovery and rebuilding. All donations you designate for WRAL Disaster Relief will be used in Haiti." Go to this link to donate.
http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/page/6808988/

-Mashable's complete coverage can be found here: http://mashable.com/tag/haiti/


Thanks for your time and charity, everyone.

Josh

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