Coping with the Haiti Earthquake
The catastrophic earthquake which hit Port-au-Prince Tuesday has affected people worldwide. Many
people are coping with the uncertainty of a loved ones’ safety in Haiti and millions want to help.
Below is information providing ways to locate loved ones and ways to support those affected by the
tragedy in Haiti.
Reconnecting with Loved Ones

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is helping reconnect separated families in
Haiti through a special web site which enables people in Haiti and outside the country to search for
and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake. In the first twenty-four hours, more
than 6,000 people have been registered.

People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of
State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is working to identify U.S. citizens in Haiti who need urgent
assistance and to identify sources of emergency help. The Embassy set up a task force that is taking
calls as conditions permit. U.S. citizens in Haiti can call: 011.509.2229.8942, 011.509.2229.8089,
011.509.2229.8322, or 011.509.2229.8672.
Helping with Relief Efforts
Online Scammers
Charitable Americans eager to help the nation of Haiti recover from Tuesday's devastating earthquake
are being warned to be on the lookout for online scammers. A number of "text to donate" services have
been set up for people to make donations directly from their cell phones. But consumer advocates are
warning that, as more are created, some may be phonies.
Two that are trustworthy are:


Texting HAITI to 90999: The U.S. Department of State's Web site suggests texting "HAITI" to
"90999" to donate $10 to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts. The $10 will be charged to
your cell phone bill. Or you can go online to organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps
to contribute to the disaster relief efforts.
Texting YELE to 501501: On Twitter, musician Wyclef Jean, a native of Haiti, notes, "Haiti
needs your help text YELE to 501501 and 5 dollars will go toward earthquake relief." Yele Haiti
is a grassroots movement Jean has set up to inspire change in Haiti through programs in
education, sports, the arts and environment.
Better Business Bureau
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers these tips:




Check out Better Business Bureau where you can research charities and relief organizations to
determine whether they are legitimate and what sort of work they do.
Don’t fall for claims that 100 percent of donations go to relief victims. Groups raising money
incur expenses, and that will lead to some reduction in funds to victims.
Don’t give in response to spam messages, and be careful about giving online. Fraudsters
overnight can create fake charitable Web sites.
Give directly to charities that have a presence in the region instead of going through other groups
raising money for charities.
National Organizations
 ActionAid: ActionAid asks for donations for its relief efforts. ActionAid has been working in Haiti
since 1996 and is deploying an emergency team to deliver clean water, shelter and goods like blankets
and soap.

ADRA: ADRA is launching an initial response worth $85,000 to meet the immediate needs of
survivors. According to an initial assessment, the immediate needs include water purification
supplies, food, temporary shelter materials, hygiene kits, and medical assistance.

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $200,000 to assist
communities impacted by the earthquake in Haiti, and is prepared to take further action as local
responders assess the situation.

American Friends Service Committee: Accepting financial aid only at this time. Funds will go to
immediate material needs and to help Haitians themselves rebuild their communities.

AME-SADA: AME-SADA is currently assessing the situation in Haiti and will provide humanitarian
relief and care on site through their system of local clinics and micro credit operations.

Americares: Specializes in immediate disaster relief

Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity International is addressing shelter solutions for lowincome families affected by the earthquake. Habitat’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster will
require support from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations.

The International Rescue Committee: The IRC is deploying its Emergency Response Team to
Haiti to deliver urgent assistance to earthquake survivors and help overwhelmed local aid. They’ll be
focusing on critical medical, water and sanitation assistance.

Operation USA: Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate
donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it
will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles.

Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is currently mobilizing personnel and supplies to assist in the
Source: American Red Cross and World Health Organization
relief effort in Haiti, following the severe earthquake that struck Tuesday. The Salvation Army has
already dedicated $50,000 in direct aid to the country, and it is in need of additional donations.

Save the Children: Donations to Save the Children will help the charity provide urgently needed
medical attention, safe drinking water, and other necessities.

Stop Hunger Now: Stop Hunger Now will be coordinating relief efforts to our partners in Haiti by
organizing shipments of meals and financial support.

UNICEF USA: Donations to UNICEF will go to children, the most vulnerable population in any
natural disaster.

United Way Worldwide: Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and
infrastructure devastated by disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related
challenges.
Your Program is Here For You and Your Family
Call your program for support to help you and your family members cope with this tragedy. Counselors
are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide confidential assistance at no cost to you. You
can also log on to www.MagellanHealth.com/member.
Source: American Red Cross and World Health Organization