ATTENTION: How To Assist Haitian People After Devastating Aftermath of Earthquake

By now, many are aware of the 7.0 earthquake that struck the nation of Haiti (Ayiti) yesterday. The earthquake brought with it enormous destruction to the already impoverished island, and the magnitude of the problem has been overwhelming to the Haitian government and relief agencies functioning in Haiti.

It is now time to show our support to the Haitian people, and to the community of Haitian-Americans that have settled in Central Brooklyn. I encourage you to donate to any of the organizations listed below. Included in this list are offices that you may contact to find out other ways you can support.

Letitia James

HAITI DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS

A VIGIL will be held at the Haitian Consulate today at 6:00 pm at 271 Madison Ave (between 39th & 40th St).

NYC Area - New York City residents may contact "311" for further information on Haiti Relief Efforts.

Secretary of State Clinton has set up an aid line that people can use to send money to support Haiti relief similar to what was set up to support refugees in Pakistan earlier this year. Cell phone users can text "haiti" to 90999 and $10 will go to relief efforts in Haiti. The $10 will show up on your phone bill.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

· The U.S. State Department has set up a toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747.

IReport

Individuals who are seeking information about family members or friends in Haiti may contact and/or post pictures of their family or friends at: www.Ireport.com

YELE HAITI EARTHQUAKE FUND

· Yele Haiti Foundation was established by Haitian-American performer Wyclef Jean. The website has not been set-up to accept online donations at http://www.yele.org/. Alternatively, you may text YELE to 501501 to donate $5 via your cell phone.

AMERICAN RED CROSS

· The American Red Cross can be contacted at 1-800-257-7575 or http://www.redcross.org/. Alternatively, you may text "HAITI" to "90999" to make a $10 donation.

Other organizations working to bring relief to Haiti are:

AMERICARES

· http://www.americares.org/

MERCY CORPS
· http://www.mercycorps.org/

UNICEF

http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/2010/01/update_haiti_quake.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+unicefusa%2Ffieldnotes+%28UNICEF+USA+Fieldnotes%29

Please see this list from CNN for more options, and this list from the NYT-Lede blog.