As you probably already know the nation of Haiti was rocked by a devastating earthquake on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.  The 7.0 magnitude quake is estimated to have affected more than 3 million people. Eyewitness to the devastation, Friendly Grandoit says, “The Capital looks like a war zone. I am lucky I live on the higher elevation so my neighborhood is ok but everything is a mess. Total chaos. People looking for relatives everywhere, people are trapped in homes, buildings, schools, gas stations on fire etc… its like a bad dream that is all too real.”

If you are seeking information about your family members in Haiti you can call the U.S. Department of State at 888-407-4747.

We are asking all of our readers to please donate to the relief effort.  The people of Haiti need our help. Here is a list of organizations providing help to the victims: (all links go directly to donation pages)

• American Red Cross- You can make an online donation at american.redcross.org or you can use your cell phone to text “HAITI” to “90999″ and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts.
• Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund- You can make an online donation at Yele.org or you can use your cell phone to text “Yele” to “501501″ which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.
• International Committee of the Red Cross- You can make an online donation at www.icrc.org. (Please be sure to select the “Haiti” program).
• AmeriCares- You can make an online donation at secure.americares.org.
• UNICEF- You can make an online donation at secure.unicefusa.org. You can also donate by phone or mail through this organization.
• Operation USA- You can make an online donation at donate.opusa.org. This organization also accepts United Airlines frequent flyer miles and in-kind/product donations.
• StillerStrong- You can make an online donation at stillerstrong.org. In recognition of the severity of the earthquake in Haiti on January 12th, donations received through Stillerstrong.org will temporarily be given to emergency relief efforts for earthquake victims in Haiti.
• Food for the Poor- You can make an online donation at www.foodforthepoor.org.
• Care- You can make an online donation at my.care.org.
• Samaritan’s Purse- You can make an online donation at www.samaritanspurse.org.
• GlobalGiving- You can make an online donation for medical help, earthquake relief & supplies at www.globalgiving.org.
• Direct Relief International- You can make an online donation at www.directrelief.org.
• Doctors Without Borders- You can make an online donation at doctorswithoutborders.org.

All of us can do SOMETHING!

Thank you.

Flaimahmy Magazine