Safest Ways to Donate to Haiti Earthquake

As we all know, on January 12 2010, a devasting earthquake measuring 7.0 magnitude stuck Haiti. The death toll is estimated at 200000.There are still thousands of people trapped, and left many homeless.

I exactly know how this can feel like, as I have faced earthquake myself when I was in Gujarat,India during January 26 2001. This is a time when you put your "life into perspective" -like what is worth, what is not.

Everyone is trying to make his best effort to help Haitian in all possible ways. Social networking sites have helped a lot in spreading the importance of donation.

I also urge you to contribute as much as you can!!!

I heard in news, that donations to Haiti could be tax deductible for year 2009 eventhough you make donation in 2010. So if you already know the tax you owe to IRS, you have choice of donating it Haiti rather than paying back to IRS.

There are many ways to donate to Haiti. But please beware of scams out there that may take advantage of your money. I would suggest you to donate to only well-reputed organization/group to be on safer side.

Here are some listing for you!

1. American Redcross
The American Red Cross is working with its partners in the global Red Cross and Red Crescent network, including the Haitian Red Cross, and other partners to assist those affected by this disaster.Your gift to the American Red Cross will support emergency relief and recovery efforts to help those people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Assistance provided by the American Red Cross may include deploying personnel, sending relief supplies, and providing financial resources.

2. UNICEF
UNICEF is deploying clean water and sanitation supplies, therapeutic foods, medical supplies and temporary shelter to Jacmel and Port-au-Prince. UNICEF will also be focusing on children who have become separated from their families to protect them from harm or exploitation

3. CARE
CARE plans to start food distributions using stocks of high-protein biscuits from CARE warehouses in Haiti. CARE has 133 staff who are on the ground coordinating with U.N. agencies and other aid organizations to gather more detailed information about the damage and will rapidly scale up response based on those assessments

4. Yele Haiti
Yele Haiti is a movement led byWyclef Jean that is helping to bring hope back to Haiti. Projects are designed to make a difference in the fields of education, health, environment and community development.

5. Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
Through the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, we will work to provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. We will channel the collective goodwill around the globe to help the people of Haiti rebuild their cities, their neighborhoods, and their families

The following organizations are accepting SMS donations in the US only:
SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
SMS text “YELE” to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
SMS text "GIVE10" to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief

You can find more details on : http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/

Please do your best....
-Anu