We’ve seen the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti, and it’s hard to just sit back and continue to watch the heartbreaking news. The time is now for us to help aid the victims of this terrible tragedy.
If any citizen of North Carolina is seeking information on family members in Haiti please contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747.
Here’s how North Carolinians can help aid the victims of natural disasters, including assisting American efforts in Haiti:
Donate Cash
Cash is the most helpful donation. It allows professional, credible relief organizations to buy exactly what is needed most to help disaster victims. Cash donations minimize delays in collecting, packing, shipping and distributing goods and there is no added transportation cost.
Three ways to donate cash:
1) Contribute to the voluntary organization of your choice.
2) Contribute to one of the major non-profit organizations that are accepting cash donations to respond to this emergency, see http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti.
3) Donate $10 to the Red Cross by simply texting "HAITI" to "90999." The donation will automatically be charged to your cell phone bill.
Donate Goods
Donated goods are discouraged at this point due to limited resources for transporting, distributing and receiving such supplies.
Volunteer
Many non-profit organizations and faith-based groups respond to disasters and offer a wide range of services. However, volunteers without prior disaster relief experience are generally not selected for relief assignments. To learn more about the training involved and volunteering in future disasters with one of these organizations, visit:
• www.helpindisaster.org
• www.nvoad.org
• www.serve.gov
• www.citizencorps.gov
• www.networkforgood.org
For more information please visit the Center for International Disaster Information at http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a or call 703-276-1914.