According to ABC news,
the earthquake has left AT LEAST 45,000 people dead, and 3 MILLION PEOPLE INJURED OR HOMELESS. (Read more
HERE)
There are less than 790,000 people living in Baltimore, so please just take a moment to process the magnitude of this devastation. Our deepest condolences go out to our brothers and sisters struggling in Haiti.
I'll leave it at this: the idea that Haiti is "cursed" is an excuse to do nothing. These people need much more than prayers. They have no clean water, their ports have been demolished, the list goes on and on.
Don't depend on the govenment to take care of everything. $5-$10 WILL make a difference, so please donate to one of these causes:
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross' primary focus during the initial response of an emergency is feeding, sheltering and supplying any other basic needs. To donate: Go to RedCross.org, hit donate now button at top and then International Response Fund. You also can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Response Fund. The money will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti. Or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Operation USA
The international relief agency provides funding for reconstruction and development aid to communities that have experienced disasters, disease and poverty. For its Haiti relief efforts, the agency plans to use donations for health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements. To donate, go to opusa.org or call 1-800-678-7255, or mail a check to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave., Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.
Save the Children
The independent organization focuses on children in need in the U.S. globally through programs for health and nutrition, child protection and education. To donate, go to savethechildren.org and look under "latest news" for the Haiti press release, which has a link to the donation page, or call 1-800-728-3843 or 203-221-4030. Donations will go toward purchasing relief items, such as hygiene kits, family kits (pots, pans, food preparation items) and tarps.
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
The national committee for UNICEF is responsible for the organization's fundraising. UNICEF uses the money for health care, clean water, nutrition, education and emergency relief. To donate, go to Unicefusa.org or 1-800-4-UNICEF.
Yele Haiti
This organization, founded by Wyclef Jean, creates projects to improve the quality of education, health, environment and community development in Haiti. To donate to to its Haiti relief efforts, go to
yele.org or text YELE to 501501 to donate $5.