Compiled By NAN Staff Writer
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Oct. 7, 2016: As the death toll in Haiti as a result of Hurricane Matthew soared to over 500, many organizations have begun pitching in or fundraising to help the Caribbean island. Here are 10 ways you can help the victims of this latest natural disaster:
1: UNICEF
UNICEF is working to support the Haiti government’s humanitarian response post-Matthew. Life-saving supplies for 10,000 people were in place and ready to be distributed to the most affected families in the worst hit areas, according to the organization which says 90 percent of all donations go directly to those affected. “More than 4 million children are in danger as Hurricane Matthew pummels Haiti. This is the worst storm the country has seen in decades. Our teams are on the ground with life-saving supplies to keep children safe,” UNICEF said on Facebook. They are accepting donations from USD 50 and up for disaster relief in Haiti here.
2: Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is also pitching in to help more in the country they already serve. The group is fundraising to help cover the purchase, shipment and emergency supplies costs to help those in desperate need especially in the regions of Les Cayes and Grand-duc-Cavailon, Haiti. Food For The Poor has several fishing villages in this region, which are a source of income and food for these families. In the western part of Haiti, metal roofs have been blown off those buildings, the group said on Facebook adding that the storm surge was 12 feet and coastal areas now have no roads, bridges or cell towers. “The people of Haiti, already suffering extreme poverty, desperately need your help today,” Food for The Poor said on Facebook while adding that they expect to send nearly two-million pounds of rice to alleviate the food scarcity issues which Hurricane Matthew is going to cause. Donate from $75 and up here.
3: Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services, the non-profit Catholic charity which already works in Haiti, is says it will be providing cash to victims of Matthew so they can purchase critically needed relief supplies and distribute relief items, including bottled water, water purification tabs, blankets, tarps and tents, and kitchen kits. CRS engineers are also assessing structural damage to begin repairs. Based on the extent of damage, part of CRS’ response could include temporary shelters and distribution of shelter materials like tarps. “Outside of immediate food, the greatest needs will be shelter, water and hygiene supplies. Your donation will help families receive immediate relief,” the group said on Facebook. Donate from as little as USD 25 to CRS here.
4: Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA)
ADRA, the global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is already on the ground in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Its activities include food, clean water, and household item distribution for around 1,000 affected families, as well as mobilizing water treatment systems for communities. The group is fundraising online with donations from USD25 and up. Donate here. They are also looking for churches to partner with them in response to Hurricane Matthew by raising money for their Emergency Response Fund. Pastors can send an email to socialmedia@adra.org or leave a comment on the group’s Facebook page.
5: Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps, a global non-profit that already works in Haiti, is preparing to increase its team their to respond to Hurricane Matthew after it battered Haiti with wind and rain. The group says it is particularly concerned about access to clean water and the likelihood of cholera since there have already been high rates of cholera this year and a significant amount of flood water and rain increases this risk severely. “Our team is preparing to respond to the damage,” the group said on Facebook Wednesday as a national of Les Cayes commented that they are in need of help for friends and family there since hundreds of people sheltered in a small school are without food. You can help with a donation from USD 50 here.
6: Save The Children
Save the Children, which has been working in Haiti for more than 30 years, has deployed an emergency response team to work with staff and partners on the ground to help the children and families affected by the storm. The organization pre-positioned a stockpile of non-food items, including hygiene kits, baby items, household kits, mosquito nets and jerry cans, which will be used in coming days. Additional necessities will be supplied after the response team conducts an initial evaluation. The government of Haiti estimates 5 million people will be affected— 300,000 of them critically. You can donate USD 50 and up here.
7: International Medical Corps
International Medical Corps., a global humanitarian nonprofit organization established by volunteer doctors and nurses which has working in Haiti and was there when the 7.0 earthquake struck Port-au-Prince in January 2010, is also pitching in again. International Medical Corps currently has medical help programs in northern and western Haiti. “Over a million people are directly affected by Hurricane Matthew,” said Haiti Team Leader, Sean Casey and thousands will need emergency medical care, access to clean water and proper sanitation to help prevent the outbreak of disease. You can donate as little as USD 5 here.
8: The Havre de Grace Haitian Seventh-day Adventist Church
Dr. Rodney Charitable, a Haitian-born pastor in Rockville, Maryland is mobilizing his congregation to host a fundraiser for Haiti at the Havre de Grace Haitian Seventh-day Adventist Church, 112 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, Maryland. The event is set for tomorrow, Sat. Oct. 8, 2016 and organizers will have gospel talent and dramatists from the Washington metropolitan area. All of the proceeds to ADRA which is already on the ground in Haiti.In New Hampshire, Haitian Diaspora nationals will hold a “Day of Haiti” fundraiser tomorrow, Saturday October 8, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its 495 Hall St. Manchester. Donations of money, food and clothing will be accepted from those in New Hampshire.
9: Haitian American Nurses Association
Lex Pierre-Louis, founder of Lex Promotions & Marketing Group, and his team have partnered up with the North Miami-based Haitian American Nurses Association to form the Haitian American Hurricane Matthew Relief Effort. The group’s initial goal in the days immediately following the storm is to gather together medical supplies and equipment in order to assist the ailing victims on the island. Sandy Dorsainvil, coordinator of the Haitian American Hurricane Matthew Relief Effort, says that six doctors and three nurses from the Haitian American Nurses Association have already been cleared to fly out to the island today as first responders to start aiding victims. While they conduct an overall assessment of what else is needed on the island, South Florida residents can help by donating necessary medical supplies, like pain relievers, baby formula, clothes and antibiotics, which can be dropped off at 3333 NW 168th St. in Miami Gardens.
10: Students For Haiti
Students for Haiti, 5013(c) non-profit organization, is crowd funding for HERO – Hurricane Matthew to help make send SAR (Search and Rescue) and Medical Relief teams to Haiti. HERO’s Rescue and Evacuation Service is the only team to offer emergency services with Paramedical and Rescue Specialists from the United States who hold specialty certifications in advanced medicine, remote medicine, technical rescue, flight medicine, tactical medicine, security and evacuation. They are coordinating directly with the Haitian Government and UN to meet the emergent needs in the aftermath on behalf of thousands impacted by Matthew. All donations will be passed on to HERO directly and are tax deductible. Donate here.
