Many of our NGO (non-governmental organization) partners are now working to enter Haiti to offer medical attention, clean water, food, and shelter to the estimated three million people affected by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that took place on January 12th off the Haitian coast.
In response to the many emails and phone calls our offices have received from concerned people, we have created a list of concrete ways to help.
1. Follow the news. The most updated information about the situation on the ground and what partners need is available on Twitter, the micro-blogging service. We recommend:
2. Donate. Your money will go further with established NGOs with expertise in natural disasters and refugee crises. They have the humanitarian workers, logistical support, and experience to reach people in need quickly. Some organizations are also seeking in-kind donations and volunteers. You can donate LifeStraw® water filters through our local Florida chapter partner of Rotary International for distribution in Haiti here. Additionally, we recommend:
- Americares
- American Red Cross
- CARE
- Catholic Relief Services
- Christian Reformed Church
- Concern Worldwide
- Doctors Without Borders
- Direct Relief International
- Haitian Health Foundation
- IMA Worldwide
- International Medical Corps
- International Relief Teams
- International Rescue Committee
- Islamic Relief USA
- The Jewish Federations of North America
- Medical Teams International
- Mercy Corps
- Operation Blessing International
- Operation USA
- PSI
- Salvation Army
- Samaritan's Purse
- Save the Children
- Shelterbox
- UN Foundation
- UNICEF USA
- World Concern
- World Relief
- World Food Programme
- World Vision
3. Reach out to others. Email your family and friends, post about it on Facebook, and tell them how they can help. If you are asking how you can help and where to learn more about the Haitian earthquake’s aftermath, your friends are too.
4. Show your support in your community. Reach out to local groups such as churches and community centers to see if there are upcoming fundraising events you could help organize or participate in. The recovery and reconstruction process will take months, and so, the need for donations and help will still be there. Many organizations listed above have local chapters; contact them to learn how to get further involved.
To learn more about how Vestergaard Frandsen is responding, read our press release.
Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/vesfra for more news on how we are responding to the crisis.