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How to help Haiti

Written by Rebecca Winson
Thursday, 14 January 2010 00:00

International rescue teams have begun to arrive in Haiti, where a 7.0 scale earthquake has caused immeasurable destruction. The Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive believes the death toll could reach 100,000, although he admitted that he had no way of knowing the actual number.

The International Red Cross has estimated that three million people could need emergency relief. A coalition of 13 relief agencies, The Disasters Emergency Committee, is expected to launch a television appeal tomorrow. In the meantime, their spokesman has said that giving money is the best way to help. This enables supplies to be purchased as close to Haiti as possible and sent quickly to victims. Those wishing to donate should visit the following websites:

The DEC is accepting donations through its website www.dec.org.uk

Wycleff Jean’s Yele Haiti foundation is accepting money on its website www.yele.org

All arms of the Red Cross are accepting donations. The International Red Cross website is: www.ifrc.org

Donations to the Oxfam appeal can be made at: www.oxfam.org.uk

ActionAid donations can be made at: www.actionaid.org

The International Rescue Committee is raising money at: www.ircuk.org

Several  children’s charities are accepting donations:

Save The Children: www.savethechildren.org.uk

The Global Orphan Project: www.theglobalorphanproject.org

Operation Blessing International: www.community.ob.org

Medical supplies are dangerously low in Haiti. Several medical charities are asking for help:

The International Medical Corps can be found at: www.imcworldwide.org.uk

Medecins Sans Frontieres can be found at: www.msf.org.uk

Haitian Health Foundation: www.haitianhealthfoundation.org

Medical Teams International: www.medicalteams.org

Food relief can be donated to through:

Action Against Hunger: www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk

The World Food Programme: www.wfp.org

Feed My Starving Children: www.fmsc.org

Food for the Poor: www.foodforthepoor.org

Se7en also warns readers to be cautious of bogus charities soliciting donations for Haiti. The FBI has warned that previous disasters have prompted “individuals with criminal intent” to solicit money purportedly for a good cause. Do not donate to any unknown organisations, ignore any emails, do not give money or financial details to individuals and beware of those portraying themselves as survivors or officials on social networking sites.

Haiti desperately needs your help, and even a small donation to any charity above will make a vital difference.