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Wednesday, January 13, 2010 ( 4:18 PM ) shut up christine passing on this helpful info from my amazing friend Shwetha S Haiti Earthquake Relief Dear Friends,As I am sure you have heard, Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake yesterday. Measuring 7.0, it has affected millions of people. Yesterday's earthquake was one of the largest ever to hit the area - the last time an earthquake this strong struck Haiti was in the 18th century. I was researching the best ways to help and was overwhelmed by how many organizations were accepting donations. So in your search to help the people of Haiti, I wanted to share what I found: WASHINGTON, DC - The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) encourages Americans to respond appropriately and responsibly to today’s earthquake in Haiti. Those who wish to best help the victims in Haiti are asked to donate cash as an alternative to in-kind donations such as clothing and canned goods. Cash donations are widely recognized as the most efficient and effective means of relief, a policy supported by CIDI's funding partner, the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and those in the established international disaster response community. http://www.cidi.org/news/ 1. Why Cash is Best The best way to help is to donate financially to organizations responding to a disaster. Cash allows relief professionals to procure exactly what is needed in a disaster situation and ensure that donations are culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate. Cash donations do not use up other scarce resources, such as transportation, staff time or warehouse space. As needed, cash can also be transferred quickly to where needed, helping bolster the economy of the disaster-stricken region. Partners in Health https://donate.pih.org/page/ Interaction's list of vetted organizations (scroll down) GlobalGiving Architecture for Humanityhttp://www.globalgiving.org/ http://www. Mercycorp's list of fundraisers http://www.mercycorps.org/ The US State Department very quickly put together this number to channel relief contributions directly to first responders who will be on the ground there. The amount will be charged on your next phone bill. 2. Material Donations Material donations from individuals consist of new or used items that are donated to a relief effort. If you do decide to donate materials rather than cash, then there are steps you can take to ensure that your donation is made in such a way as to benefit the affected people while avoiding some of the problems often associated with donated material. The most important step when donating materials is to contact an established, professional relief organization before you collect anything. If you have already collected materials to donate, it can be put to their best possible use—and have the greatest impact economically—if donated to local charitable organizations within your own community or sold in a charity auction/yard sale with the proceeds donated to the disaster relief organization of your choice. (Advertising it as a yard sale to support the victims of a disaster might increase turnout.) 3. Volunteering In the aftermath of humanitarian crises, it is critical that the response of the international community is immediate and well-coordinated in order to save as many lives as possible.
Blood reserves always are stressed when a major disaster happens. Contact your local Red Cross or call 1800-GIVE-LIFE to determine when and where you can give blood. 5. Participate in eBay Auctions supporting Haiti Earthquake Relief MissionFish and eBay Giving Works offer a way to help relief efforts through charitable online auctions. Buy or sell items to support relief efforts. http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_ Questions and Answers about the Earthquake Thanks, and please feel free to forward this to all your family and friends! Shwetha #
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