Haiti Relief…

a word from Wyclef Jean on the earthquake in Haiti

“Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced.

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake – and several very strong aftershocks – struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince.

I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now.

President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands ‘ready to assist’ the Haitian people. The U.S. Military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible.”

Many people have already reached out to see what they can do right now. We are asking those interested to please do one of two things: Either you can use your cell phone to text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can click here to DONATE.

Thank you,

Wyclef

In this image made available by the American Red Cross in London, Wednesday Jan. 13, 2010, a young earthquake survivor is given first aid in a shanty town on the outskirts of Port au Prince, following a major earthquake in Haiti, Tuesday Jan. 12, 2010. Haitians piled bodies along the devastated streets of their capital Wednesday after the strongest earthquake to hit the poor Caribbean nation in more than 200 years crushed thousands of structures, from schools and shacks to the National Palace and the U.N. peacekeeping headquarters. Untold numbers were still trapped.(AP Photo/Matt Marek/American Red Cross, ho) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

A damaged building is seen after an earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area rocked Haiti on Tuesday. The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 and was centered about 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince. (AP Photo/Radio Tele Ginen)

Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund: Wyclef Jean is one of Haiti’s most famous sons, and his tweeting about the earthquake there has been a galvanizing force on the Web. Jean is most famously a member of the Fugees. His publicist says he arrived Wednesday in Haiti to assist in relief efforts. Several of the most popular topics on Twitter referred to a tweet from the singer urging people to send a text to his Haitian charity, Yele, to donate $5 to the savaged country. (The number is 501501.) To donate online, click here: Yele.org Along with the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund are these national and international relief efforts that are accepting donations for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Action Against Hunger: Action Against Hunger teams on the ground have begun to carry out rapid evaluations across the city, while additional support, equipment, and materials—including water treatment supplies, emergency vehicles, and communications equipment—are en route. Link: Action Against Hunger

American Jewish Committee: The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is working with the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid, a non-governmental agency, to bring humanitarian medical assistance to Haiti. To donate, click here: American Jewish Committee.

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 800-REDCROSS or 800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at American Red Cross . The Red Cross also will accepted donations via cell phone: You can donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting “HAITI” to “90999.”

Americares: AmeriCares, based in Stamford,CT., are delivering emergency shipments of medicines and supplies, including medical supplies for survivors with trauma injuries. , AmeriCares has already committed $5 million in medical and humanitarian aid and is sending emergency response experts to Haiti The group is preparing an emergency airlift to Haiti. To donate, click here: AmeriCares

Baptist Haiti Mission: This organization operates a hospital in Haiti and reports that 100 percent of its relief funds go directly to the field. Link: Baptist Haiti Mission

Carma Foundation: The mission of Carma is to measurably improve the health of poor and vulnerable women and children in Haiti. To donate, click here: Carma Foundation

Catholic Charities: To donate to Catholic Relief Services by phone, please call 1-800-736-3467 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. You can also send in a donation via the mail. Mail your check to: Catholic Relief Services P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. To donate online, click here: Catholic Charities

Catholic Medical Mission Board: Monetary contributions can be made by sending checks, payable to CMMB-Haiti, to CMMB, 10 West 17th Street, New York City, New York 10011, or by calling 1 800 678 5659. Pledges can also be made via the group’s Web site at Catholic Medical Mission Board

CHF International: CHF International, based in Silver Spring, MD, will distribute immediate necessities to survivors in the aftermath of the natural disaster, specifically food, aid, water and shelter. In the coming weeks and months, CHF will build temporary homes, employ people in the cleanup of their communities and aid reconstruction efforts by creating earthquake-resistant buildings. To donate, visit the group’s Web site at: CHF International

Direct Relief: This organization has announced it will commit up to $1 million in aid for the response and is coordinating with its other in-country partners and colleague organizations. Direct Relief’s partners in Haiti include Partners in Health, St. Damien Children’s Hospital, and the Visitation Hospital. Link: Direct Relief

Doctors Without Borders: The first reports are now emerging from Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams who were already working on medical projects Haiti. They are treating hundreds of people injured in the quake and have been setting up clinics in tents to replace their own damaged medical facilities. To donate, click here: Doctors Without Borders

International Rescue Committee: The committee, based in New York City, is a network of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, healthcare providers, educators, community leaders, activists, and volunteers. It provides emergency relief, relocating refugees, and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. To donate, click here: International Rescue Committee

International Medical Corps: International Medical Corps is deploying an Emergency Response Team to Haiti. The team is providing medical care and other emergency services. International Medical Corps

Luthern World Relief: Lutheran World Relief is responding to the affected communities through its partners on the ground in Haiti. To donate by phone at 1-800-597-5972, or by mail: Lutheran World Relief – Haiti Earthquake, P.O. Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21298-9832 or online: Luthern World Relief

Mercy Corps This charitable organization, based in Portland, OR., is sending a team to Haiti to participate in relief efforts. To contribute online, click here: Mercy Corps

Operation USA: Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles. Donate online at www.opusa.org, by phone at 1.800.678.7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232. Link: Operation USA

Oxfam America: Oxfam has long experience in Haiti, and its response will include providing clean water, shelter, sanitation and helping people recover. To donate, click here: Oxfam America

Project HOPE: Project HOPE, based in Virginia, provides health care for needy people around the world and is collecting donations for medical supplies to Haiti. To donate, click here: Project HOPE

Salvation Army: The Salvation Army currently operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities spread across two major facilities in Port au Prince, close to the epicenter of the earthquake and at other locations in the country. To donate by phone1-800-725-2769; by mail:: The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728. Designate donations “Haiti Earthquake.” To donate online, click here: Salvation Army

Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse dispatched a team just hours after the quake to help with water, shelter, medical care, and other emergency needs. The organization will focus on medical help, shelter, clean water, and hygiene supplies. To donate, click here: Samaritan’s Purse

Save the Children: Save the Children is preparing to provide immediate lifesaving assistance, such as food, water, shelter and child-friendly spaces. It has verified the safety of all but 16 staff members in its main office. Save the Children, which has been working in Haiti since 1985, has provided emergency relief and assistance to Haitian children and families following various recent disasters, including hurricanes and floods. To donate, click here: : Save the Children

ShelterBox USA: ShelterBox is responding to the scenes of destruction in Haiti. The shelter boxes contain a tent, thermal blankets, insulated ground sheets and other survival necessities, along with a means of water purification. To donate by mail: ShelterBox USA, 8374 Market Street #203, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202, (941) 907-6036. To make an online donation, click here: ShelterBox USA

Surgical Implant Generation Network: This charitable organization, based in Richland, Wash., is sending a team of orthopaedic surgeons and medical personnel to Haiti to treat earthquake victims with fractured limbs. They also are collaborating with Medical Teams International as-well-as Doctors Without Borders, which has a facility in Port-au-Prince. To learn more about the group, and to donate, click here: Surgical Implant Generation Network

UNICEF: To donate to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean region, visit the UNICEF web site at this link: UNICEF or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

United Nations World Food Program: World Food Program teams are on the scene, mobilizing emergency food assistance to families. To donate, click here: World Food Program