On Tuesday, Jan. 12, an earthquake devastated Haiti and caused major damage to the capital of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas. Internationally supported relief efforts are under way.
Do you want to help?
UTvolunteer.org, the volunteer opportunity clearinghouse sponsored by the university’s Volunteer and Service Learning Center, has information about contributing to the Haiti relief efforts. You can also learn more about supporting the relief efforts and Student Emergency Services on the Volunteer and Service Learning Center Web site.
Many local, national and international agencies are also accepting donations of time, money and goods for the relief efforts in Haiti. Below is a list sent out by the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) that includes direct links to many of the charitable organizations responding to the crisis.
- Action Against Hunger
- American Red Cross
- Beyond Borders
- CARE
- Direct Relief International
- Doctors Without Borders
- HED
- International Medical Corps
- International Relief Teams
- Meds and Food for Kids
- Mercy Corps
- Operation USA
- Oxfam America
- Partners in Health
- Save the Children
- Stop Hunger Now
- UNICEF
- World Concern
- Yele Haiti
If you want to help immediately, simply text “HAITI” to “90999” and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.
Or text “YELE” to “501501” and a donation of $5 will be given automatically to Yele Haiti to help with relief efforts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued an alert to Internet users to be mindful of fraud during the earthquake relief efforts. Several tips for avoiding scams are on the FBI’s Web site.
About the photo: People line up to receive water from a firetruck in Port-au-Prince, on Jan. 14, 2010, following the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti on Jan. 12.
Photo: Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images.
