Thursday, January 14, 2010

Haiti earthquake relief: simple ways to help

As a picture of the devastation in Haiti begins to emerge (a complete assessment is not expected for the next day or so) people across the world are seeking ways to aid Haiti in its time of immense need.

Even in dire economic times, Googlers are seeking ways to direct aid to Haiti, a famously poor and corruption-plagued country. One of the most publicized ways to donate to Haiti earthquake relief efforts is via text message. Texting “HAITI” to 90999 will charge a $10 donation to the Red Cross on your next phone bill. Texting “yele” to 510 510 is also being tweeted and re-tweeted as a way to donate $5 to relief efforts via Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. (Jean is currently en route to Haiti via the Dominican Republic to join Anderson Cooper.)

President Barack Obama recently addressed the situation in Haiti with a press conference, and urged people concerned about loved ones in Haiti to call the State Department at 1-888-407-4747. On Twitter, #helphaiti has been trending all morning with users suggesting ways to donate and spread news about the conditions in Haiti. There is no estimated death toll in Haiti, with news organizations speculating it may be in the “hundreds” or “thousands.”

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