Health Activists Recommend Support For These Health Organizations in Haiti

There are a great many organizations providing relief in Haiti during this critical time and we know that all of you are interested in supporting their efforts.

You can help other Health Activists by leaving a comment here and letting us know about the health organizations on the ground in Haiti that you support.

Tags: haiti, health activists

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Permalink Reply by Amy K on January 13, 2010 at 8:54pm: In addition to Partners In Health (mentioned in the WEGO Health blog), I would highly recommend World Vision. Go here http://bit.ly/8gtadB to learn more about their efforts right now in Haiti and how they have been there already for the last 30 years. This organization is very familiar with disaster relief and providing assistance for people world wide (on a continual basis), I personally greatly respect them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jack Barrette on January 14, 2010 at 7:33am: AmyK, World Vision is impressive - and right now, salesforce.com is matching donations up to $200,000 to World Vision and the Red Cross. Here is the direct link on the salesforce.com site that we assume gives them the data to make the match.

Some will say that this is a calculated marketing/PR program to get names and e-mails; I say it's a very real contribution by business, and that salesforce.com should be commended without reservation. Businesses with heart will win, and "heart" can't be faked. Salesforce.com, you got heart!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amy K on January 14, 2010 at 1:09pm: Jack,
I am so glad you told us about this matching effort. I believe it is a display of heart as well, and I am always happiest to support businesses that show that they are about more than simply sales.
Nice job Salesforce.com!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa on January 14, 2010 at 9:49am: Wyclef Jean (a popular rapper and native of Haiti) has set up the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund to contribute to relief efforts. You can make a donation by texting “Yele” to 501501 and a $5 donation to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund will be charged to your next cell phone bill. You can also make a direct donation to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund via their website.

Wyclef is also speaking out encouraging everyone to get involved in this Martin Luther King Day’s day of service by finding a local volunteer opportunity near you. Are you getting involved? Let us know what you'll be doing!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jack Barrette on January 14, 2010 at 10:04am: The Washington Post has published this list of Haiti charities - let's share any experience or recommendations about them. These are hyperlinks on the WaPo site.

Haiti earthquake: How to help

Oxfam has an emergency team in the capital, Port-au-Prince, responding with public health, water, and sanitation services. You can donate online through its Haiti Earthquake Response Fund or by calling 1-800-77-OXFAM.

Partners In Health is taking contributions for relief efforts in Haiti, including medical supplies. The organization has had a presence in Haiti for more than 20 years, working to address the health care needs of the country's poor.

You can donate to The Salvation Army's efforts in Haiti by calling 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or visiting their Web site and designating that your donation is for the Haiti earthquake.

The UN World Food Programme is accepting donations. Head of the WFP Josette Sheeran said the agency is deploying its resources in Haiti, including 86 metric tons of food. You can donate here.

National Nurses United has issued a call for nurse volunteers to provide assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

To donate to specific relief efforts in Haiti:
United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
Mercy Corps
Save the Children
International Red Cross
World Vision
Catholic Relief Services
UNICEF
International Medical Corps
Network for Good
CARE
Operation USA
Operation Blessing International
Convoy of Hope
The Global Syndicate
GlobalGiving
Beyond Borders
Community Coalition for Haiti
International Orthodox Christian Charities
Baptist World Aid
Doctors Without Borders
Habitat for Humanity
Action Against Hunger
Direct Relief International
B'nai B'rith International
Bright Hope
Hope for Haiti
American Jewish World Service
World Relief
TractorShare
American Friends Service Committee
Food for the Poor
CHF International
The Lambi Fund of Haiti
Islamic Relief USA, in coordination with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The State Department has set up a hotline for Americans to inquire after family in Haiti: 888-407-4747.

There are several ways to donate via mobile device:

• Text the word "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 on behalf of the Yele Haiti Foundation, founded by Haitian musician Wyclef Jean.

• Text the word "Haiti" to 85944 to donate $5 on behalf of the Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International.

• Text the word "Haiti" to 25383 to donate $5 on behalf of the Internal Rescue Committee.

• Text the word "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 on behalf of the American Red Cross.

• Text the word "Haiti" to 45678 (in Canada only) on behalf of the Salvation Army in Canada.

You can also find updated information and general ways to help during disasters at ReliefWeb, USAID and InterAction.

The FBI also warns donors to be alert to the potential for scams involving the earthquake. After a tsunami devastated Southeast Asia in 2004, many people lost money by donating to relief organizations that turned out to be fraudulent. The FBI offers several tips here:; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alicia C. Staley on January 14, 2010 at 10:26am: I've donated to the Red Cross. I'm impressed at the amount of money that's already been donated for Haiti. I can only hope that it helps. Does anyone else have suggestions on actionable items that we might be able to undertake to help the cause? I have friends willing to help, we just don't know what to do.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amy K on January 14, 2010 at 1:13pm: I, too, would love to hear of ideas of additional ways to help. It is so challenging when the disaster is far away, as in this case. It is not possible for so many of us to leave our homes, jobs, families, to provide relief efforts, and it may not be possible to spare much financially. Regardless of my circumstances, I still have a great desire to help.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marie on January 15, 2010 at 1:11pm: I thought I'd take a second to share two interesting pieces about the relief efforts that I came across today:

1. For anyone looking to make a donation, Razoo has begun a matching donation program on their website. There are a number of excellent organizations listed there, so I'd encourage everyone to take a look - it's an easy way to double the impact of your donation!

2. Sometimes, sending money is not an option. I think that there will be a number of other ways to help the Haitians in the future, but it seems that sending money right now is the best way to help. GlobalPost has a good article describing the problems inherent in sending "stuff" immediately after a disaster.

While we might not all be able to contribute right away, hopefully we can continue this thread in the weeks & months ahead to let Health Activists know of other ways to get involved!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amy K on January 18, 2010 at 12:04pm: This is some great information Marie and an important reminder that the need will continue well into the future. Taking advantage of matching programs is a nice way for your donation to make an even bigger difference. We can easily keep each other posted about ways to support the needs in the coming weeks and months by posting updates to this thread!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jack Barrette on January 20, 2010 at 9:30am: Declan Doogan, one of health's most dedicated and passionate community builders, has personal experience with healthcare in Haiti. I want to reproduce his appeal here, as it contains valuable info:

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I write to you in appeal to help the people of Haiti. It cannot have escaped your attention that the conditions there are desperate. As the days go by the need does not lessen in fact it grows. I have personal experience with a wonderful charity called the Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) who are receiving thousands of displaced persons from Port au Prince. Even the staff of the HHF are running out of food and supplies for themselves. Simply put, they need money (diesel has gone up to $10 per gallon) to buy all manner of supplies once it can get through. I can assure you this is one of the most efficient aid agencies there with less than 8% of fund going on administration. It can put your gifts to good use and directly improve the circumstances of the people there.
I know many of you have already given generously but we need more so please think of giving at this time of huge need. The WeAre community knows what self support means and I am sure this message will resonate with many of you. Try to get your employer to match your gift also. Remember if you are a tax payer you can get tax relief on your donation.
Think of this:
Your gift: $30
Your company match: $30
HHF receives: $60
You receive tax relief of around $10
Please send your donation to: Haitian Health Foundation
We are asking that you support our response with an online donation by clicking on this link. Given the homes already known lost, the break in our supply lines with the need to establish new avenues to deliver critical food and supplies, and the expected influx of people from Port au Prince, it is a certainty that our resources will be strained over the next few months. You can help us meet this need with your support.
Please keep our people in Haiti in your thoughts, and on behalf of all of those affiliated with Haitian Health Foundation, thank you for your support.
Thank you for considering this.
Declan Doogan MD
President WeAreUS; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marie on January 20, 2010 at 3:58pm: Just found out that Partners in Health is now accepting text donations - here's all the info!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marie on January 20, 2010 at 5:45pm: So, right after I posted about PIH receiving text updates, I came across an article pointing out that most charities (Red Cross excepted) aren't going to see the money you donate for 2 to 3 months!

I understand why that's happening, but that's a pretty significant lag-time when there are so many people in need right now. While the convenience of texting your donation is pretty hard to beat, it might be worth taking a few minutes to make a donation online if you're able!; ▶ Reply to This