Haiti

Last week, when the earthquake hit Haiti, I have to admit that I recognized the severity and overwhelming loss of life, but I think my ability to comprehend was limited.  When  I finished college, my dream career was to do disaster relief and development work throughout the world. I got close to following this career dream but other events occurred to make me deviate from this path. I did travel to Honduras after Hurricane Mitch hit and helped build a school and very simple housing for a community there.  I also spent quite a bit of time with children at an orphanage.  What I witnessed in Honduras was overwhelming, simply shocking that people lived in these conditions.  Raw sewage running through villages, with children playing in it.  And an absolutely overwhelming number of orphans.  In Honduras, approximately 15,000 people were killed and 1.5 million people were left homeless.

This morning I heard that the Red Cross updated the death toll numbers in Haiti to potentially 200,000 individuals.  That is simply incomprehensible.  This is a country that already was experiencing significant social, medical and political problems.  Many relief organizations were already working in Haiti prior to the earthquake due to the dire straits the country already was in.  Which is positive, because that means that these organizations have already established relationships on the ground, which will make them much more efficient.  Now the number of orphans in Haiti has grown astronomically.  Additionally, the spread of infection is going to cause the loss of life in Haiti to increase substantially.  Injuries that should be survivable, such as a broken arm or leg, are going to lead to death in Haiti right now because the medical need is simply too great to treat everyone.

I know that everyone is aware of these issues and the problems facing Haiti.  More than anything, I urge you to donate.  I’ll admit, I just donated today.  I went through doctors without borders, an organization that I have always felt strongly about.  The need in Haiti is not going to disappear anytime soon, so if you do not want to donate now or simply cannot afford it with this economy, consider donating once you are able to spare a bit of cash.

Here is a limited list of organizations that are currently working in Haiti–all have a 4 star rating from Charitynavigator.org, which means they have low administrative cost and the majority of your money goes directly to those in need.  All these are non-profit and tax deductible.

• Doctors without Borders–Currently treating people on the ground and will be operating an inflatable hospital.
• AmeriCares–first emergency airlift carrying over $6 million worth of critically needed medical aid for Haiti earthquake survivors has arrived in Port-au-Prince. The airlift, which touched down late last night, includes antibiotics that fight infections and pain medicines for survivors with broken bones, as well as other critically needed relief supplies. AmeriCares initially planned to deliver $5 million worth of aid, but due to the immense outpouring of donations, another $1 million of aid was added prior to takeoff. The AmeriCares emergency response team in Haiti is working to quickly distribute the medicines and supplies to hospitals and health clinics treating the injured.
• CARE–Deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince and will be distributing food.  Over 100 staff members on the ground.
• CHF International–staff of 170 individuals working in Haiti.  Focusing on providing the basic needs for the people–shelter and looking forward to find ways to employ individuals to help in the cleanup and reconstruction efforts in Haiti.
• Direct Relief International–Non-profit medical relief organization.  Arranging an emergency airlift containing over $2 million in medicine and medical supplies.
• Episcopal Relief and Development–Episcopal Relief & Development is working with its partners in affected areas to provide technical aid; meet immediate needs such as food, water, shelter and medical care; and coordinate a long-term response. The agency is committed to continuing its support throughout the recovery and rehabilitation process.
• American Jewish World Services–Your donation will go to:
  • Support search and rescue efforts by community volunteers
  • Provide food and shelter for survivors
  • Provide emergency health services and education to help reduce the second wave of casualties due to wounds, contamination from corpses and human waste
  • Clear roadways to facilitate rescue and distribution of emergency supplies
  • Provide emergency psychosocial support to survivors
  • Fund humanitarian aid being sent from the Haitian-Dominican community in the Dominican Republic that includes two mobile clinics, medical supplies, donations and volunteers
  • Support longer-term recovery (in the months following the earthquake) including rebuilding of community centers, clinics and schools; replanting of crops and farms to reestablish the local food supply and provide a source of income; and support to community-based organizations’ efforts to rebuild civil society.
• Feed My Starving Children–One million meals are currently on the ground in Haiti, you donation will produce an additional three million meals for Haiti relief.
• Oxfam America–Your donation will go to providing clean water, shelter and sanitation and helping people recover.
• Save the Children–The agency, with offices in Port-au-Prince, is racing to provide immediate life-saving assistance, such as food, water, shelter and child-friendly spaces.

Remember to get your company to match your donation if they offer this benefit!

While I know this is a personal decision and some of you have already donated to the relief efforts, I just wanted to say that this is a country that will need our help for many many years to come.

It definitely makes me appreciate the goodness that I have in life so much more–my health, my family, my basic needs.  I truly feel lucky and feel compelled to help those who are in need.

To Smile.