I have to admit that my first few reactions to the news of an earthquake in the Caribbean weren't especially charitable. I thought first that the scale of the reports had to be exaggerated, that things couldn't be as bad as the media was breathlessly reporting. Then I wondered how long it would take for the environmental movement to make use of the disaster to advance their agenda. Neither of these reactions are particularly noble on my part, obviously. Blame it on my dispositional skepticism, I suppose.
But by all accounts, the human toll in Haiti after the earthquake is vast. In a world of digital media and on-demand news reporting, we can oftentimes see instantaneous first-hand accounts of these kinds of events. Here's a kind of informal poll for Mere Comments readers: are you planning on donating specifically to address the need resulting from the earthquake in Haiti? And if so, which agencies or charities are you specifically supporting?
One of my favorite charities of first resort, International Aid, closed up shop amidst the economic downturn last year (Update: A commenter notes that International Aid is still making international shipments and actively working in Haiti). My family and I support a child in the Dominican Republic through Compassion International, which is currently accepting donations aimed specifically for Haiti. (I haven't heard much about the impact on that other nation sharing the island with Haiti, incidentally. Relative to Haiti, of course, the Dominican Republic is markedly more economically stable.)
Put some specific suggestions in the comments for other MC readers to consider. Do you use denominational ministries, stand-alone aid agencies, something else, or nothing at all? There are the typical guides to disaster giving, which often point to large groups like the Red Cross, to whom my fundamental skepticism also applies. One curious response has been to send outdated sports apparel to devastated areas.
We've given through Compassion International. Any number of good charities exist: Compassion, Samaritan's Purse, World Vision, etc etc.
Posted by: Chris Roberts | January 14, 2010 at 09:30 AM
We're giving directly through our church, which is trying to raise money to help victims. What I've heard, Jordan, is that the DR is not badly affected. TV crews have been flying into the DR because it's still "up and running" and then driving west to Port-au-Prince. It's frustrating that so much help is needed in the critical hours immediately after a disaster like this. The heavy machinery and search dogs that can find and release victims trapped in the rubble, the medical personnel, equipment and supplies, etc., are only now starting to arrive, too late no doubt for many. One can certainly understand the logistical problems of mobilizing a relief effort. Communications towers in Haiti have been destroyed, power knocked out, the airport damaged, etc. God bless the news media! They've been ahead of many governmental and aid agencies in identifying the extent of the catastrophe and have done a great job raising public awareness.
Posted by: Matt | January 14, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Catholic Relief Services has long been one of the most reliable, low-overhead operations out there, for decades.
Posted by: Chris Ryland | January 14, 2010 at 10:18 AM
I donated through International Orthodox Christian Charities. I'm an Orthodox Christian, so it makes sense for me to donate through them.
Posted by: Susan Davis | January 14, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Samaritan's Purse is exceptionally able to handle relief servivces to disaters. I donate through them as well as our state Baptist Convention.
Posted by: macon ogletree | January 14, 2010 at 10:35 AM
For the past few years, my wife has traveled to Haiti assisting CONASPEH The National Council of Spiritual Churches made up of 5,000 churches, is an umbrella organization for Protestant churches and associations in the country. They partner with among others, the United Church of Christ and Christian Church Disciples of Christ, so One Great Hour of Sharing would be one place to start. http://www.ucc.org/disaster/major-earthquake-strikes.html
The Methodists (UMCOR) are sending health kits:
1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27")
1 washcloth
1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, No child-size brushes)
1 large tube of toothpaste (4.5 oz. or larger, expiration date must be 6 months or longer in advance of the date of shipment to UMCOR Sager Brown)
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
Value: $12 per kit.
In a separate envelope, please send a check for at least $1 for each kit to help UMCOR Sager Brown with the costs of processing and shipping kits around the world.
The UMCOR ADVANCE number is 418325 for giving to the effort for Haiti Emergency relief. Please send your offering money to: Treasurer, SWTX Conference
United Methodist Church
16400 Huebner Rd.
San Antonio TX 78248
If you go through someone like UMCOR the items can be shipped and get through customs with few delays. This cannot be said for most thinks shipped to Haiti.
From e-mails my wife is receiving, CONASPEH is leveled and had many nursing students inside. The group of folks from TN who were down to assist were OK- saved by being late for supper.
As it stands right now my wife is still scheduled to return to Haiti the first couple weeks of February. They had already been planning to take cash and school supplies as well as medical supplies from a group called "Hear to Heart International." It would seem, incredibly, that they are needed even more than ever.
Posted by: Eutychus | January 14, 2010 at 10:39 AM
International Aid is still around and working with Haiti
Posted by: Bob | January 14, 2010 at 11:59 AM
We donated to Food for the Poor. They already operate in Haiti, so we hope they have an inside track to getting food and water to those in need. Donate at
foodforthepoor.org
Posted by: Kathy | January 14, 2010 at 12:06 PM
I chose the Salvation Army. Their homepage has a direct link to Haiti funding, and you can use PayPal if you have an account.
World Vision was another option.
Posted by: Michael D. Harmon | January 14, 2010 at 02:02 PM
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
http://www.crcna.org/news.cfm?detailid=3556&newsid=1722
was my first choice.
Emil
Posted by: Emil | January 14, 2010 at 07:59 PM
Compassion.com/helphaiti
(Compassion International)
Posted by: Ben Ernsberger | January 15, 2010 at 10:32 AM
International Orthodox Christian Charities
http://www.iocc.org/
Posted by: Bruce G | January 15, 2010 at 10:56 AM
We almost always give through religious organizatons. We are a mixed home...my husband is Protestant and I am Catholic, we are both orthodox Christians and believe and pray that the money is wisely used through the church. In general Catholic Relief is our first line of defense as it has been out there working among the poor for years and years regardless of their religious affiliation. In the past few years, because my parish has a huge 30 hour famine, we have also given through World Vision. We trust those two organizations as well as Samaritan's Purse and Mercy Corps.
Posted by: CMA | January 15, 2010 at 01:06 PM
We will split the money three ways: 1/2 to Compassion for the child we help support in Haiti, 1/4 to Compassion for Haiti, and 1/4 through our church to UMCOR. By the way, one family at church put up a $4,000 matching gift challenge to the rest of the congregation.
Posted by: Moss | January 17, 2010 at 12:30 PM
I couldn't find a way to give to the Salvation Army online. That's the organization I usually give to for disasters. Then I got emails from fellow members of the Anglican Catholic Church about a relief effort for an orphanage we support that was destroyed, though the orphans and staff are all right, and the parish it is in. So we gave to that, through our church.
Posted by: Judy K. Warner | January 17, 2010 at 07:44 PM