By Tuesday evening, it had been confirmed that over 1,900 had been killed from the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit the southern region of Haiti, Saturday morning. The earthquake caused thousands of structures to collapse into rubble in a country that already was in such dire need of help.
Saturday’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake also left at least 7,000 people injured, according to Haiti’s Office for Civil Protection, with thousands more displaced from destroyed or damaged homes. Sunday night, Les Cayes was darkened by blackouts, and many Haitians slept outside, clutching small transistor radios to hear of any news, terrified of the continuing aftershocks.
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Local medical officials report that hospitals in impacted areas, such as the towns of Les Cayes and Petit Trou de Nippes, are overwhelmed with patients and may be short-staffed due to the earthquake. There is also concern that landslides could be triggered in the area.
And the devastation could soon worsen with Tropical Depression Grace, which reached Haiti, Monday night. According to Haiti’s Office for Civil Protection, Haitians can expect strong winds, heavy rain, hazardous waves, landslides, and flooding.
Haiti is a country already susceptible to hurricanes, and is still recovering from the disastrous earthquake a decade ago. Also, Haitians were already facing widespread hunger due to drought and economic instability.
Even more heart-wrenching, the earthquake comes just one month after the assassination President Jovenel Moïse in July, and the country had still been grappling with that devastating blow.
This, plus, the impending doom of Tropical Depression Grace, is why we are called to action to help our brothers and sisters in the island nation.
Below, we’ve rounded up reputable organizations that are currently accepting donations to help those in Haiti.
Organizations accepting donations (listed in alphabetical order)
CARE: Your donation to The Humanitarian Surge Fund allows CARE to maintain their Rapid Response Team. Experts in providing food, shelter, hygiene kits, and sexual and reproductive health assistance are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice, wherever they’re needed, such as Haiti. Click here to donate.
Catholic Relief Services: Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Catholic Relief Services is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. “When you give, you provide immediate assistance for our Haitian sisters and brothers desperate to survive this devastating situation. Your help will deliver immediate relief.” Click here to donate.
Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE): Moments after the disaster, CORE launched an immediate response to provide emergency support to survivors. CORE will provide emergency shelter, rubble removal support and medical assistance. Click here to donate.
Convoy of Hope: Convoy of Hope, alongside partner Mission of Hope, plans to distribute an initial 1 million meals to those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti. In addition to food, Convoy will also distribute hygiene kits and sheltering supplies. Thankfully, Convoy’s in-country warehouse was not damaged by the quake, so distributions began immediately. Click here to learn more. Click here to donate.
Doctors Without Borders: Homes and infrastructure, including medical facilities, have been extensively destroyed and damaged in the affected region. Some hospitals had to evacuate their patients, and some lack medical equipment and medicines. Aftershocks and landslides have caused additional damage. Doctors Without Borders is here to help. Click here to learn more. Click here to donate.
Free Wheelchair Mission: The organization has been providing wheelchairs, mobility aids, and emergency medical supplies to those living with disabilities for more than 20 years in 94 countries. “In Haiti, we have provided more than 15,400 wheelchairs to those living with disabilities. As with any natural disasters, especially during the ongoing pandemic, the need for wheelchairs and medical supplies is great and those living with disabilities are often the most at risk. We are asking for support of our Medical and Mobility Emergency Fund.” Click here to donate.
Global Empowerment Mission: The organization works as a first responder for disaster relief, bridges the gap between first response and sustainable development, and implements practices to ensure sustainable development. Right now, they are focusing on the immediate response to global disasters and civic emergencies, such as the Haiti earthquake. Click here to donate.
Hope For Haiti: Hope for Haiti has over three decades of experience in emergency response and crisis preparedness in Southern Haiti. Their Infirmary St. Etienne is open in Haiti to provide wound care and other essential services like clean water to members of the community. They also have a stockpile of emergency kits prepositioned and ready to distribute to vulnerable individuals and families. Their team lives and works in the communities they serve, such as Haiti, and is made up of Haitian doctors, nurses, program managers, and others dedicated to improving their own country. Click here to donate.
Project HOPE: Project HOPE has an emergency response team on the ground in Haiti to provide emergency relief. Project HOPE is identifying opportunities to distribute critical medicines, medical supplies, hygiene kits, water purification kits, and personal protective equipment to reduce the spread of diseases in the aftermath of the earthquake. The organization has worked in Haiti since 1980, assisting after the 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Restricted donations can be made via this specific link that is solely for Haiti emergency response: Click here to donate.
Save the Children: Save the Children is responding quickly to help children and families who have lost everything in Haiti. The organization is helping families with urgent needs by providing tarps, tents, and jerry cans for clean water, and baby care kits containing items like diapers and soap. They are also preparing to provide cash transfers so families can purchase what they most need, education spaces for children, health and nutrition services, and psychosocial support. Save the Children has worked in Haiti since 1978, providing nutrition, early learning, and water and sanitation programs. They also responded when Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti in 2016, as well as following the 2010 earthquake. Click here to learn more and how you can help.
Team Rubicon USA: Team Rubicon is a nonprofit organization that utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. They arrived in Haiti with food, water, and relief supplies on Monday. Click here to donate.
UNICEF: At least two cities were severely damaged by a magnitude 7.2 quake early Saturday morning, leaving people trapped in the rubble. UNICEF is working with partners to rush vital assistance to children and families in need. Click here to donate to UNICEF USA.
Drive-by or drop-off material donations in South Florida
The Smile Trust Foundation: Organizers came together Sunday to form a collection site, gathering medical supplies, food, and many other items needed in Haiti. Those who wish to make donations can drop them off at 720 Northwest 55th Street in Miami, Florida. You may also give monetary donations to the foundation. Click here to donate.
Food For The Poor: Food For The Poor partners in Haiti are on the ground and are sending their urgent requests for aid. In South Florida, local residents and community groups can support the donation drive by bringing in food bags that contain these food items with an expiration date of February 2022 or later. You may also donate hygiene, baby, and other paper or first-aid items. Click here for more information. You may also give monetary donations to the foundation. Click here to donate.
This list will be updated as more organizations organize donations for the victims in Haiti.