Where and How to Donate to Haiti

Feb. 9, 2010 -- It has been a month since the deadly 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, and while millions have donated money, supplies and, in some cases, their time to assist the people of Haiti, the desire to help continues, as well as the need for guidance.

"Our biggest piece of advice is that you really want to look for organizations that have a track record of reliability in terms of their service, in terms of their commitments," said Ken Berger, president and CEO of Charity Navigator, the United State's largest independent charity evaluator.

"When a crisis occurs like this, you want an agency that's older, that's been around for a while," Berger said, adding that "in emergencies, it's really important to go with those you know and those you trust."

Also, if you want to donate money, don't be discouraged if the money is not getting allocated right away, Berger said.

Charity Navigator recommends staying away from neighborhood organizations unless you know them personally. "Go with an organization that has a strong track record in Haiti of significant time, or a track record in disaster relief over a significant period of time," Berger said.

Also, "Use your head as well as your heart," he said. "Do a little due diligence and think through the best way to give."

Below is a list of helpful resources if you want to donate to the earthquake victims:

Click here for a full report on the quake and its aftermath.

The U.S. State Department asked those wanting to help to donate $10 by texting "HAITI" to "90999." The $10 donation will go automatically to the Red Cross "to help with relief efforts" and will be charged directly to your cell phone bill, the Web site said.

For more information, click here to visit the U.S. State Department Web site.

Hours after the quake struck, the American Red Cross pledged an initial $200,000 to assist people affected by the devastation. The American Red Cross has partnered with the Haitian Red Cross, which is leading the response efforts.

The American Red Cross offers several ways to donate to various funds, including international relief to Haiti.

Click here to visit the American Red Cross Web site to find out more or donate online.

People who wish to donate by phone can dial (800) Redcross, or (800) 257-7575 for Spanish.

Those who wish to donate by mail can do so by contacting their local Red Cross chapter or by mailing a donation to the following address:

American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013

Former president Bill Clinton is the United Nations special envoy to Haiti.

Click here to donate to the foundation's Haiti Relief Fund and other relief efforts it supports.

Catholic Relief Services made a $5 million commitment for emergency supplies and is sending water-purification tablets, plastic sheeting, hygiene kits and mosquito nets to Haiti.

Click here to find out how to help Catholic Relief Services.

Click here for information on safely making charitable donations during a crisis.

For more resources on how to help, please visit Whitehouse.gov.

Mercy Corps
Dept W
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, Ore. 97208-2669

In the four weeks since the earthquake struck, UNICEF has deployed experienced staff to Haiti from around the globe. They are working 24 hours a day with partners in an effort to reach every quake-affected child and family in need.

UNICEF invited people to give by mail by printing out a form on its Web site, which is available by clicking here.

People interested in donating can also call (800) For Kids or (800) 367-5437.

Click here for more information from the UNICEF Web site or donate online.

Food for the Hungry has staff located near the earthquake and in neighboring Dominican Republic, according to the organization's Web site.

The site calls on visitors to donate to "help us respond now."

Click here to learn more and find out how to donate online.

The Salvation Army is mobilizing resources and personnel to assist with the international relief effort in Haiti, the group said in a statement today.

The group has been working in Haiti since 1950. At present, it operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities in Port-au-Prince.It is sending more than 44,000 pounds of pre-packaged emergency rations to the country, along with emergency disaster teams.

Click here to visit the Salvation Army Web site to learn more and donate.

977 Centerville Turnpike

Virginia Beach, Va. 23463

(757) 226-3401

Click here to learn more and find out how to help.

The mission of Action Against Hunger is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations of conflict, war and natural disaster.Click here to learn more about what Action Against Hunger is doing in Haiti and find out how to help.

Save the Children has been working in Haiti since 1985, and has offices in earthquake-ravaged Port-au-Prince.

For more information, or to donate, click HERE.