*COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS AND WAYS TO HELP!*
Tuesday, an earthquake that registered a 7.0 (out of 8) shook and destroyed the country of Haiti. And several after-shocks that registered at almost the 6 level. After barely repairing itself after the 4 hurricanes of 2008, political unrest, and the fact that the country is the poorest in the entire western hemisphere, this earthquake is one of the worst things that could have happened to Haiti.
I went to sleep with a heavy heart last night after watching all of the horrific images and tales and destruction on tv. It brought back memories of my own experiences during Hurricane Katrina. I know first hand how horrific and impossible of a situation that was, and the US is not even a third world country. So I can’t even imagine the aftermath of this natural disaster in Haiti.
Unimaginable numbers of people have been and will be pronounced dead over the coming weeks. It will likely be worse than genocide. There are no resources as there were barely any to begin with. People’s cell phones will eventually die, there is no working hospital in the epicenter of the country, phones and internet and, of course, tv signals are un-repairable, the infrastructure is now nonexistent as their presidential palace and UN Headquarters are now in ruins, and there are 9.7 million living in the country that is the size of Maryland. Where will people get food, water, aid, etc in the next coming days when relief organizations can barely get a connection to the country?
HELP NOW. Wyclef Jean spoke on CNN and other channels yesterday about his foundation Yele Haiti. Text “Yele” to 501501 on your phone and it will automatically charge $5 to your phone bill and will donate to it to this organization that will serve as a relief org for this disaster.
The American Red Cross is accepting donations as they have already pledged an initial $200,000 toward relief efforts.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO UNICEF
Our thoughts and prayers and hearts go out to the people of Haiti.
UPDATE: The following is a statement by Wyclef Jean on the magnitude 7.0 earthquake outside Port-au-Prince, 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.”
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:14 AM
First! I love Wyclef! Great man
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:15 AM
Y’all dis crazy, please don’t tell me that the world is coming to an end!
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:20 AM
help help help guys and pray for us
I’m Haitian and my family is going through a rough time right now. I got my grandpa in Port Au Prince (carrefour ( that’s where the eartquake first started) and we don’t know if he is alive or death bc we can’t get in touch we no one in the country (haiti). My mother is crying so hard right now…. Please Help us please! anything will help, even a few coins.
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:23 AM
My prayers go out to all the Haitians worldwide
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:24 AM
I’m haitian as well and this tragedy is just 2 much for my heart to take. We also can’t get in touch with ANY family and I think that is the hardest part. If you can donate money please do so, but right now we need as much food, water, first aid and toilettries as possible. PLEASE I am urging you all to help…
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:25 AM
sending prayers to haiti and money to haiti!
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:25 AM
Oh my, May God bless you and your family!
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:26 AM
I’m haitian also and i can’t watch the news anymore it’s making me cry. I’m greatfull to be here but my family, extended family are there, my mom tried to contact them no luck.. I’m trying to raise some money myself to send to the American Cross…
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:26 AM
Praying for everyone… Things like this happen & reminds the human race. Much more to come… Haven’t gotten through to family yet… I wish media would stop taking jabs at Haiti & stressing us being “poor” 50 million times. Why don’t they address why then (starting with Christopher Columbus down to the present)? Anything to cover the hot story. I want to see how buildings would react in NY during a 7.0 earthquake..they make it seem like any other place would be ready. This hasn’t happened in that region for over 200 years in that scale! Do they not get this was right underneath them! Our National Palace was destroyed & I doubt that was poorly built, smh.
Oh yeah if you plan on donating, I don’t trust Red Cross (i.e. Hurrican Katrina outcome). Try Yele Haiti (Wyclef’s charity),etc..beware..sadly many scams occur during these disasters SMH
Text Yele to “501501″ to donate $5 from your cellphone bill
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:36 AM
oh my god this is so sad, especially that we can’t get in touch with anyone. All we can do is pray and donate money for the people to get food and water and mediacation at least
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:39 AM
PLZ MY COUNTRY NEEDS UR HELP. THIS IS VERY EASY TEXT THE MESSAGE YELE TO 501501. THANK U IN ADVANCE
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:40 AM
O AND PLEASE LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. WORD OF MOUTH IS POWERFUL
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:44 AM
My heart goes out to the people of Haiti. For those with relatives there, I hope you get in touch with them or at least hear about there status. Prayers for all!!
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:47 AM
Natasha, thanks for posting this. I’m here in the DMV (DC/MD/VA area), and my grandmother generally travels to Haiti during the winter months to get away from the cold. She is there right now, and is due to come back next week. My ENTIRE family is devastated as we can not get in contact with anyone. Everything is down. I have been praying/crying non-stop. I want so badly for my grandmother to be okay. She is my backbone, and I don’t know what I would do without her. Please, you guys, pray for Haiti, pray for my grandmother, and pray for everyone else who can’t get in contact with their loved ones. Please text to 501501 and type YELE. It’s $5 that can go a long way.
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:48 AM
Thank you for posting this Natasha. Only something this catastrophic would let ppl stop and see that there are countries worst off. As a young Haitian raised in NY you’re are often considered priveleged for being able to live in the United States. The sad thing is that during this tragic time even living in the US is not mending our heartache. I for one have numerous extended family over there and family who just went there New Years Eve. We canot hear from them. All we ca sit and do is wait. One of the hotels that went down belonged to one of my uncles. The family is distraught just as well as all Haitians are at the moment. Please keep Haiti in your prayers… and if its in your heart and withing your mean please donate…
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:52 AM
I am not Haitian but I am Caribbean and as we like to think “we are all one people”. Please donate in whatever way you can. Be it food, clothing, medical supplies, or cash. Any little helps at this point.
Sending prayers out to all in the region and outside the region that have loved ones there.
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:54 AM
Just when you think you have it bad, the Lord always proves you wrong. When you think that your going through it, dont complain because there is always someone out there going through it 10x worse. My heart and prays go out to every single individual in Haiti. To all those in the States who have family over there, pray and dont stop, God listens..I promise! Such a sad situation
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:54 AM
I’m attempting to do my part by organizing a corporate drive at my place of business.. We have a large group of West Indians (myself included) that work here and as people period we should reach out and help those in need…when we are in need other reach out to help us…
This situation is sad and unfortunate but God knows what he’s doing… This world is scary and I think things like that forces people to accept that our time here is precious…
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:56 AM
I know this is a celebrity gossip site but its good to see that news as Haiti’s disaster is being put out there. I’m Haitian and this is a serious time of need for my people.
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:56 AM
Thank you for posting this Natasha. Only something this catastrophic would let ppl stop and see that there are countries worst off. As a young Haitian raised in NY you’re are often considered priveleged for being able to live in the United States. The sad thing is that during this tragic time even living in the US is not mending our heartache. I for one have numerous extended family over there and family who just went there New Years Eve. We canot hear from them. All we can do is wait. One of the hotels that went down belonged to one of my uncles. The family is distraught just as well as all Haitians are at the moment. Please keep Haiti in your prayers… and if its in your heart and withing your mean please donate…
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:19 AM
I’m praying for my people & my country.
Romans 8:28
More Than Conquerors
And we know that in all things work together for good to them that love God, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:19 AM
My whole thing with the YELE text/donation is that when exactly are the Haitians getting the money??? That $5 gets charged to people’s phone bills. My bill isn’t due until January 20. That’s an entire week from now. And is the entire $5 going to them. Is it taxed? I can’t fuck with charities unless 100% of my money is going where it’s supposed to.
I’d be interested in knowing of any organizations that will IMMEDIATELY give the money, if any.
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:23 AM
I text to 501501 for my donation, I didnt get a response back so hopefully it went through. My prayers go out to the Haiti community.
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:38 AM
Wow, this is just 2 SAD…..Let’s “PRAY” for them….
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:46 AM
Natasha:
Thank you! People, let’s unite. We can do this together.
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:47 AM
wish I could help but I’m broke. However, I’ll keep you guys in my prayers!
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:49 AM
Please everyone make a small contribution by texting “Yele” to 501501 on your phone, it will automatically charge $5 to your phone bill & donate 2 relief 4 the disaster. Show your support by posting your confirmation on facebook, twitter, or myspace. Every little bit helps…
Wed, January 13, 2010 9:51 AM
I live in the Miami area and we have a large and active Haitian community here. My supervisor and some of my co-workers and their families are from Haiti. They are devastated and upset. My thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
I don’t complain about my life anymore. I appreciate it more than ever.
Wed, January 13, 2010 10:28 AM
Please help in any way you can. My family still is not accounted for as are many!!!
Wed, January 13, 2010 11:03 AM
First, Hurricane Jeanne and now this. The end is near, surely.
Natasha, thanks for your heartfelt post on this catastrophe. As I was entering theybf URL, I had it in my mind that you would mention the Hurricane Katrina parallel somewhere in there in your post (and you did!).
@Nattykinz @Ketara Rose You are in my prayers. Take care.
Wed, January 13, 2010 11:52 AM
My heart goes out to the people of Haiti!!! God Bless and much love!!! We are so fortunate here in America.
Wed, January 13, 2010 12:05 PM
I didn’t get a response back either and the website is not coming up, so I think there has just been an overload of calls and donations.
Keeping Haiti and my Haitian brothers and sisters in my prayers.
Wed, January 13, 2010 12:44 PM
Glad to see this post. We have family down there we are waiting to hear back from. In the meanwhile, we are praying for all the families.
If you are like me and not sure about that text donation, just go to the Red Cross and donate. I’m sure any donation will be put to good use.
Wed, January 13, 2010 12:45 PM
It’s good to see this site addressing this. I have a large amount of family in Port-au-Prince and right now its a communication black hole. I too am sick of the jabs…Yes we are a poor country but we are also strong people that have endured alot and i refuse to be Hopeless. My country and people will survive this also. Please make donations. there are a lot of reputable organizations that are there and ready to help. go on the CNN website they have a very good list. Pray and keep hope alive!
Wed, January 13, 2010 1:16 PM
I am also Haitian and i honestly don’t know where to start. I’m having a hard time trusting the american made charities. They weren’t even successful helping their own kind (Hurricane katrina)It’s hard to just sit and wait. Phone lines aren’t working this is pure torture. Who know’s when they will be up and running again. I just pray that things get better because the country has hit rock bottom!
Wed, January 13, 2010 1:27 PM
i can’t even imagine what’s happening down there. a whole city has collapsed.
Wed, January 13, 2010 1:52 PM
TO THE OWNER OF THIS BLOG (I THINK TASHA?): Thanks for making everyone aware by posting this on your blog.i heard back from the 501501 number, my donation went through…this is devastating.
Wed, January 13, 2010 2:33 PM
please help any way u can. My country needs your assistance.This is so tragic!
Wed, January 13, 2010 2:54 PM
Help Haitian children and families struck by this disaster. SOS Children’s Villages (http://www.sos-usa.org) has been working on the ground in Haiti giving orphaned and abandoned children homes and education since 1979. SOS has a solid commitment to Haitian children through this disaster and beyond. Please visit http://www.SOS-USA.org to contribute to our relief effort.
Wed, January 13, 2010 8:14 PM
U guys could also donate to this site…I donated there, its Former Presi Bill Clinton’s Foundation, and that url goes straight to the Haitian relief.
http://www.clintonfoundation.org/haitiearthquake/
Also some reputable charities can be found at
cnn.com/impact.
Please be aware of scammers….its a very sad situation, but those con artists are coming out off the wood work right now.
Thu, January 14, 2010 2:40 PM
Please Pray for us!!!
Thu, January 14, 2010 7:47 PM
We love you Haiti! :-( Everybody do what you can to help. My heart goes out those of you still waiting to hear from family members and friends to see if they’re okay. Hold on, be strong you guys.
Thu, January 14, 2010 9:42 PM
for once i am so proud of ybf readers for putting aside our cultural diffrences and coming together during this terrible tragedy. The amount of hatred between balck americans and caribbeans on this site at times is ugly and down right scary at times. Well done YBF and lets all keep Haiti and Haitians in our prayers.
Fri, January 15, 2010 10:05 AM
For those who are physically able to assist our brother and sisters of Haiti, work and pray, for those who have money, give and pray, for those whose pockets may be empty and are not physically able to help but have a sincere heart continue to pray. To my dear brother and sisters of Haiti, this is your healing season, and help is on the way.
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’ ” (Lam. 3:22-24).
Tue, January 19, 2010 11:46 AM
Thank you Natasha for posting this! My country needs everyones help right now. Keep us in your prayers
Mon, January 25, 2010 1:44 PM
bless you and your family
Mon, January 25, 2010 1:45 PM
what can i do to adopt a child
Wed, February 24, 2010 8:17 AM
Jean God bless u biiig for ua selflessness.otherwise down here in Africa Kenya am praying for Haiti that Gods grace will council each ad every devastated soul.