By now we’ve probably all heard of the devastating earthquake and aftershocks which have ravaged Haiti. And each of us, no matter where we are, can help. According to this article by Global Post, it is also preferable to donate in cash, rather than in kind. We know it’s difficult to choose where to make a donation, and recommend Charity Navigator’s explanation of why cash is better than kind, and to find out which (US) sites are the highest rated for accountability.

Here are just some of the most popular trusted online sites raising funds specifically for assisting survivors of the Haitian earthquake (alphabetically):

• Architecture for Humanity
• Christian Aid
• Lambi Fund of Haiti
• Network for Good
• Mercy Corps
• Oxfam (UK)
• Partners in Health
• International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 
• Save the Children
• UNICEF USA
• World Concern

At our home in T&T, groups have been organising the collection of funds and relief items since the very day of the earthquake. Here are the ones we have been alerted to, though the Office of Disaster Preparedness (ODPM) is now officially in charge of co-ordinating the T&T relief effort:

• Red Cross T&T: accepting cash donations at Republic Bank, account number 1804 8251 7101
• ITNAC (Is There Not A Cause) is collecting both monetary donations at Republic Bank (account name: For This Cause – Haiti, account number: 510009446802), as well as  non-perishable food items, clothing, bedding, temporary building supplies, medical supplies, and toiletries at:
• ITNAC Office, Jardine’s Plaza, 96 Charlotte Street, Port of Spain (tel: Naomi, 624-4162)
• Hilton Hotel Trinidad, 1B Lady Young Road, Belmont (tel: Olivia Constantine at 682-6755)
• Fangle Dangle, corner Rosalino and Robert Streets, Woodbrook
• Global Revival Ministeries, bypass on Eastern Main Road, Arima
• Jencare Day Spa, 11 Cornelio Street, Woodbrook
• Cards and Stuff, Trincity Mall, Trincity
• CLICO [Trinidad] Ltd – All Branches (contacts: 868-625-4444 – Onyka ext. 1214 or Sarah ext. 1212)
• Text message donations:
• bmobile: text HAITI to code GIVE (4483) to donate TT$10 (proceeds go to Medianet and Red Cross Relief Funds)
• Digicel: text HELP to 5151, and Digicel will donate TT$3 per text
• Three groups are collecting non-perishable food and bottled water, blankets and clothing. They can be dropped off at:
• YMCA: Benbow Road, off Wrightson Road (opposite the power station), Port of Spain (tel: 868-625-9622)
• the COP (Congress of the People) Flagship Office on the corner of Tragrete Road and Broome Street in Port of Spain between 9am and 3pm. Please label all bags. Contact Lisa at (868) 683-2364, Kathryn at 632-4079 or Renatta at 632-3284.
• 2 Scott Street, St Clair (corner of Scott and Newbold Streets behind the Ellerslie Private Hospital, formerly Stanley’s nursing home), 9am–2pm and 5–7pm until 26 January. For more, visit their Facebook page, email Ariannt@gmail.com, cclem003@gmail.com or call (868) 683-6567, 766-1542

Other MEP Caribbean Publishers blogs on Haiti, after the hurricanes of 2008:

• More than Sorry: Helping Haiti Rebuild (September 2008)
• Haiti in Desperate Need (October 2008)