Where and How to Donate to Haiti
A look at the best ways to give to the earthquake victims.
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.
U.S. State Department
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.
American Red Cross
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
William J. Clinton Foundation
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
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 for information on safely making charitable donations during a crisis.
For more resources on how to help, please visit Whitehouse.gov.
How to Help Haiti Quake Victims
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is focusing on securing clean water and proper sanitation for survivors in two communities, creating jobs for residents clearing rubble and debris from their neighborhoods, and alleviating post-quake trauma in children.
Click here to find out more or donate online.
Those who wish to donate by phone can call (888) 256-1900.
Or donate by mail by sending a check to the follow address:
Mercy Corps
Dept W
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, Ore. 97208-2669
UNICEF
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
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
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.
How to Help Haiti Quake Victims
Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres
In the days following the earthquake, MSF teams treated more than 11,000 patients. During that time, MSF surgeons worked around the clock, carrying out more than 1,300 surgical operations, including 140 amputations. Amputation was always the last resort in the effort to save the life or limb of a patient. In some cases, however, there was no alternative.
Partners in Health
Partners in Health is an aid organization that has a team in Haiti and aims to provide "a preferential option for the poor in health care," according to its Web site. The organization has been working on the ground in Haiti for more than 20 years and urgently needs support to help people affected by the earthquake.
Click here to learn more about Partners in Health and get information about donating online.
World Food Programme
According to the World Food Programme's Web site:WFP has reached more than 2 million people since the earthquake struck. About 1.3 million people have been reached since Jan. 31 through the fixed distribution sites set up across Port-au-Prince.
In the town of Leogane, west of the capital and close to the center of the earthquake, WFP has provided food aid to 80,000 people.
In Jacmel, south of the capital, it is providing hot meals at 40 different sites and focusing efforts on helping people in hard-to-reach areas outside the capital.
A wide-ranging assessment is now beginning in order to provide information for more targeted distributions once this scale-up is completed.
Click here to learn more about WFP in Haiti and get information about donating online.
How to Help Haiti Quake Victims
CARE
CARE is continuing to distribute aid to survivors of theearthquake that struck Haiti Jan. 12.
The quake's epicenter was 10 miles south of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince, leaving it in ruins. Most of the buildings have collapsed, including hospitals, homes and schools. About 3 million people have been affected by the most powerful quake ever recorded in the country; the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.
The Haitian government estimates the toll at 112,500 deaths and 196,500 injuries and more than 1 million people left homeless.
Click here for more information and to donate online, or call (800) 422-7385.
AmeriCares
To date, more than $12.5 million worth of AmeriCares medical aid has been delivered to help Haitian earthquake survivors.
Hospitals and health clinics continue treating record numbers of patients despite the damage and destruction to their facilities, equipment, medicines and supplies. Thousands of survivors were injured, inundating hospitals and depleting the supplies that survived the devastating quake.
Click here for more information about AmeriCares.
Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse is also providing thousands of families with emergency shelter materials until homes can be repaired or rebuilt.
According to the organization's web site:
The group is concentrating on clearing debris from hospitals, clinics, schools, churches and other facilities.
A Samaritan's Purse medical team of two physicians, four registered nurses, and a pharmacist is on the ground to help meet pressing needs in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood.
"We have one clinic doctor who is only able to see about 50 people each day," said senior Pastor Leon Dorleans. "When the Samaritan's Purse team comes, we will be able to do much more."
The equipment operators are also clearing debris so church work crews can begin rebuilding the security wall that collapsed around the perimeter of the church compound.
"We're cleaning up the debris and then the church is going to hire people to rebuild the wall," equipment operator Tad Agoglia said. "At the same time, Samaritan's Purse is going to help turn this facility into a robust community clinic."
Click here to learn more and to help.
Operation Blessing International
Operation Blessing International, the seventh largest international charity, is working on several projects to help the earthquake victims. The organization is handing out hot meals to children living in and around the National Soccer Stadium, installing water-purification systems, sending medical supplies and setting up clinics, among other projects.
Contact information:
977 Centerville Turnpike
Virginia Beach, Va. 23463
(757) 226-3401
Click here to learn more and find out how to help.
Action Against Hunger
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
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.
How to Help Haiti Quake Victims
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is addressing shelter solutions for low-income families affected by the earthquake. The group recently sent more than 500 emergency shelter kits to Haiti. The Shelter Kits will help families make immediate repairs or build temporary shelter, typically at the site where their homes were located before. Another 500 buckets with similar content will be sent soon. Click here to learn more and donate to Habitat for Humanity's effort.
Merlin (Medical Emergency Relief International)
Merlin's emergency response team is working with Haitians and other international agencies to meet the most urgent needs: water, sanitation, shelter, disease prevention and restoration of basic health services. The main elements of Merlin's Haiti emergency response include providing essential medical equipment and supplies, providing emergency surgery, and distributing hygiene kits, shelter materials and other essential items. Merlin is calling on the public for support in its efforts.
Click here for more information.
Oxfam America
Oxfam is providing water, latrines, plastic sheeting, and relief materials -- as well as cash payments for work -- to people who have gathered in temporary camps both within the city and in hard-hit outlying areas. In the first six months of our response to the quake, Oxfam aims to provide 500,000 people with assistance.
Click here to learn more and find out how to help.
International Medical Corps
The group's Emergency Response Teams are working around the clock to save lives in Haiti and to help the Haitian people lay the groundwork for long-term recovery. Its team is now operating 13 mobile clinics, covering a total of 15 different locations.
Click here for more information.
International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee has deployed its Emergency Response Team to Haiti to deliver help to the devastated city of Port-au-Prince. The team includes experts in emergency health, shelter and children's welfare. It will be working with local aid groups to provide vital help to survivors of the massive earthquake.
World Relief Corporation
The organization has 40 staff people on the ground in Haiti. It is sending emergency kits, food and water.
Click here to visit its Web site.
Hope for Haiti
The organization says 96 percent of the donations it raises directly reach the people in Haiti who need it most. All the donations received in response to the earthquake are going directly to its disaster relief effort on the ground.
Click here to find out how to help Hope for Haiti.
Food for the Poor
Food for the Poor has been working in Haiti since 1996, according to its Web site.
The organization has purchased, packaged and shipped more than 3,100 tons of emergency relief to earthquake victims in Haiti.
Its operations are now moving from relief mode to reconstruction of homes and schools.
Click here to donate or to learn more about Food for the Poor.
Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide is an international relief and development agency that has been working in Haiti since 1994. The group is appealing for additional funds to support its relief work on the ground in the capital Port-au-Prince, the town of Saut d'Eau and on the island of La Gonâve.
Click here to donate to the appeal.
IMA World Health
IMA World Health is a faith-based nonprofit organization providing health care services and supplies to vulnerable people. Based in New Windsor, Md., the organization was founded with the goal of promoting self-reliance and sustainability for the communities in which they work.
IMA established an office in Port-au-Prince in 2000, employing five Haitians full time. In the aftermath of the earthquake, the organization is focusing on providing medicine and medical supplies. In 2009, Forbes magazine listed IMA among its top-20, most efficient charity organizations.
Click here to donate or to learn more about IMA World Health.
ABC News' Daniel Arnall and the "Good Morning America" Digital Unit contributed to this report.