The destruction and devastation of Haiti that occurred as a result of the earthquake in mid-January is overwhelming. Seeing the endless streams of families without houses or any of their personal belongings is difficult to watch. Personally, I prefer not to be bombarded with all of the bad news. It’s not that I don’t want to be well-informed about the problems or that I don’t care. It’s because I would rather be doing something that would contribute to a solution as opposed to spending my time absorbing all of the devastation.
I’ve talked to a lot of people who feel the same way. Many of us would rather get involved instead of get depressed. Although taking a flight to Haiti to help out is not feasible possibility for many of us, there are other ways to get involved. One of the biggest needs right now is funding to assist with rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Here are some of the most established organizations that are actively on the ground in Haiti helping rebuild the nation:
1. American Red Cross: Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization.
2. International Rescue Committee: Since 1933, the International Rescue Committee goes to crisis zones to rescue and rebuild. We lead refugees from harm to home.
3. Catholic Relief Services: Help CRS rush humanitarian relief to survivors within hours of man-made and natural disasters around the world.
4. Operation USA: Operation USA helps communities alleviate the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty throughout the world by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid.
5. UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF): Humanitarian fund established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to areas affected by natural disasters. CERF will assure that the funds for the relief effort in Haiti will go where they are most needed in the network of international aid organizations.
Instead of buying a plane ticket to Haiti, send the same amount of money to one of these organizations instead. Your donations are never needed more than they are now.
