International
rescue teams have begun to arrive in Haiti, where a 7.0 scale
earthquake has caused immeasurable destruction. The Haitian Prime
Minister Jean-Max Bellerive believes the death toll could reach
100,000, although he admitted that he had no way of knowing the actual
number.
The International Red
Cross has estimated that three million people could need emergency
relief. A coalition of 13 relief agencies, The Disasters Emergency
Committee's spokesman has said that giving money is the best way to help.
This enables supplies to be purchased as close to Haiti as possible and
sent quickly to victims. Those wishing to donate should visit the
following websites:
AmeriCares Disaster Relief www.ircuk.org
The DEC is accepting donations through its website:
www.dec.org.ukWycleff Jean’s Yele Haiti foundation is accepting money on its website: www.yele.org
All arms of the Red Cross are accepting donations. The International Red Cross website is: www.ifrc.org
Donations to the Oxfam appeal can be made at: www.oxfam.org.uk
ActionAid donations can be made at: www.actionaid.org
The International Rescue Committee is raising money at: www.ircuk.org
Donations to the American Refugee Committee can be made at: www.arcrelief.org
Several children’s charities are accepting donations:
Save The Children: www.savethechildren.org.uk
The Global Orphan Project: www.theglobalorphanproject.org
Operation Blessing International: www.community.ob.org
Medical supplies are dangerously low in Haiti. Several medical charities are asking for help:
The International Medical Corps can be found at: www.imcworldwide.org.uk
Medecins Sans Frontieres can be found at: www.msf.org.uk
Haitian Health Foundation: www.haitianhealthfoundation.
Medical Teams International: www.medicalteams.org
Food relief can be donated to through:
Action Against Hunger: www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk
The World Food Programme: www.wfp.org
Feed My Starving Children: www.fmsc.org
Food for the Poor: www.foodforthepoor.org
The FBI has warned that previous disasters have prompted
“individuals with criminal intent” to solicit money purportedly for a
good cause. Do not donate to any unknown organisations, ignore any
emails, do not give money or financial details to individuals and
beware of those portraying themselves as survivors or officials on
social networking sites.
Haiti desperately needs your help, and even a small donation to any charity above will make a vital difference.
