Help for Haiti

I am not a newshound by nature, and often feel I am the last one to hear about an event everyone else is talking about. This morning I inferred from several friends' Facebook postings that something had happened in Haiti. Unfortunately, the first news reports I googled were all about people making fun of Pat Robertson, instead of actual news about the earthquake. (More about how the public views Christians another time...)

Meanwhile, the best article I could find about how to help in Haiti comes from Latino Voice, and I have reprinted it here in entirety, plus added links to selected relief organizations:

"The Haitian relief effort continues in the aftermath of this week's devastating earthquake, which preliminary reports place at 7.0 in magnitude. With all power lines down, aid has been challenging. Only military planes have been able to perform "sight" landings and even food distribution is compromised. Many people have lost their homes and have no electricity/fuel to cook meals, so the usual supplies of rice and oil are not an option.

What caused the earthquake? While earthquakes in the Caribbean are rare and inspire cries of "global warming," geologists explain that the quake in Haiti actually occurred along a strike-slip fault, similar to California's San Andreas fault, where the North American plates meet the Caribbean plates. The pressure had probably been building for centuries.

How to help? The Washington Post has published the most complete and reliable list of relief agencies and information. The FBI also reminds us to be aware of scams and to contribute to known organizations directly (and to be aware of sites and/or people claiming to be from those organizations. Check URLs and info, carefully!)

Oxfam has an emergency team in the capital, Port-au-Prince, responding with public health, water, and sanitation services. You can donate online through its Haiti Earthquake Response Fund or by calling 1-800-77-OXFAM.

Partners In Health is taking contributions for relief efforts in Haiti, including medical supplies. The organization has had a presence in Haiti for more than 20 years, working to address the health care needs of the country's poor.

You can donate to the Salvation Army's efforts in Haiti by calling 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or visiting their Web site and designating that your donation is for the Haiti earthquake.

National Nurses United has issued a call for nurse volunteers to provide assistance to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

The American Red Cross is in the capital and already assisting in the relief and food distribution efforts.


Other Reputable Relief Effort Organizations:

United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) 

Mercy Corps
Save the Children
World Vision

Catholic Relief Services
UNICEF
International Medical Corps
Network for Good
CARE
Operation USA
Operation Blessing International

Convoy of Hope
The Global Syndicate
GlobalGiving

Beyond Borders
Community Coalition for Haiti
International Orthodox Christian Charities
Baptist World Aid
Doctors Without Borders
Habitat for Humanity

Action Against Hunger

Direct Relief International

B'nai B'rith International
Bright Hope
Hope for Haiti

American Jewish World Service

World Relief
TractorShare

American Friends Service Committee

Food for the Poor

CHF International

The Lambi Fund of Haiti

Islamic Relief USA, in coordination with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"

Incidentally, I found the combination of Islam and LDS in the last line quite interesting, but more about that another time, as well.

Father in Heaven,

We cry out to you on behalf of Haiti, and entreat your great mercies, particularly on behalf of our brethren in Christ who live there. Lord God Almighty, we recognize that all of nature is in Your Hand, and that you know and see all seasons and distresses of mankind, and we confess our faith and trust in You.

Therefore, we appeal to you, that in the midst of this tragedy,

Christ would be exalted,
souls would come to faith in Him,
Christian compassion and charity would be paramount,
and that even the nation of Haiti itself would be transformed.

We especially intercede on behalf of the relief agencies, thanking you for them, and praying that blessed souls in other parts of the world, including Tucson, Arizona, would support them generously.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.