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Feature photo by US Army Africa. Photo above by Julien Harneis
- UNICEF. Go online to unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call (800) 4UNICEF.
- Red Cross. Go online to redcross.org, or call (800) REDCROSS.
- Direct Relief International. Donate online at directrelief.org.
- Mercy Corp. Go online to mercycorps.org or mail checks to Haiti Earthquake Fund, Dept. NR, PO Box 2669, Portland, Ore. 97208 or call (888) 256-1900
[Special Note 1/14/10 @2:15 EST]
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and willing volunteers. Thank you.
At this point we are working in direct concert with consul in NYC and established orgs to determine their needs and to wait for their direction.
Please note that Matador will not be taking volunteers to Haiti who are unqualified or unskilled as medical professionals and/or proven disaster relief.
If you’d like to support volunteer efforts in Haiti, please consider donating to one of the orgs listed here.
We’ll continue to keep you updated as we learn more.
I went to bed last night (this morning, was it? Yes, I think so) with a full heart and a million thoughts, reaching over to the notebook by the bed every few minutes to make another note.
So many Matador members have volunteered hours of time to organize volunteer lists. Hundreds of you that had never heard of Matador before the earthquake have emailed, called, or tweeted offers to help.
We are doing everything we can to provide specific, concrete opportunities for you to help.
While we continue to discuss logistics about a trip to Haiti, please know that we are working on several other aid and relief projects, too, and will be posting information about how you can help, so check here often.
Here’s the morning update:
1. We will be talking with our contacts in organizations that are on the ground in Haiti to continue discussing needs and logistics.
As of 3:00 AM EST this morning, the last aid organization representative I spoke with cautioned that sending in volunteers–even those with specific and much needed-skills– right now may cause more harm than good. The organizations are still trying to assess their needs and capacity to handle volunteers. Safety is a serious concern, as is availability of fresh water.
Until they can determine what kind of help they need and the best way to provide it, international and domestic aid organizations are sending this consistent message: PLEASE BE PATIENT. They are struggling to get organized and to communicate their needs. Haiti will need our help for a long time, so don’t expend all of your energy right now.
2. I will be conveying the resources Matador has been able to organize to the Haitian Consulate in New York City this morning.
The New York City consulate is the key organizer in the US Northeast to mobilize all efforts. Updates will be posted here as they are available.
3. You can help immediately by donating to one of the orgs listed above.
Also, please check Wyclef Jean’s website www.yele.org to learn about how you can donate money.
4. We are working with amazing individuals all over the US to coordinate donations of goods.
If you are in New York City, we may begin pick ups of donated goods as early as today. If you have a substantial number of items to pick up, please email me at: julie@matadornetwork.com (Subject Line: NYC DONATIONS).
UPDATES WILL BE POSTED HERE.
Julie Schwietert
Julie Schwietert Collazo is a writer, editor, researcher, and translator currently in New York, formerly of Mexico City and San Juan. She is Matador's managing editor and is the lead faculty member of MatadorU's travel writing program.
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I REELy Feel Bad And I travel A lot And I Am Trying to fined A way to go to haiti and help I will do It on My own but I like to get with A Groop IF I Can Find Some ONE THAT IS SETING UP A GROOP I CAMP OUT AND NOT A FRADE OF HARD WORK I CARPENTER AND GOOD WITH MY HANDS I WORK FOR SELF AND I WISH TO HELP I DONT HAVE TO RUSH TO A JOB I GET A IN COME BUT I NOT RICH BUT I WILL DO WHAT I CAN LOVE RAS ROBBY CALL ME AT THIS NUMBER 1 201 284 2033 IF there IS A OPENING TO Go OR E MAIL ME
I found this site via Google as well. I was looking for a way to voluteer my time and energy to go to Haiti and help. Please keep me updated on any opportunities that you may have available.
Thoughts and prayers from our family to all who are affected by this tragedy and who seek to provide comfort and aid. My wife and I hug thinking of 500,000 dead, our own family and the blessing of relative safety that we enjoy in Seattle.
Thank you for the update Julie, thank you for the hard work and exhausting hours, from all of us.
If you are in the NYC area – the following organizations will be accepting in-kind donations to transport to Haiti. I have attached the link.
http://www.ifconews.org/node/723
Make sure to Donate, Donate, Donate!!!
PLEASE consider me for medical volunteer work. i am an active physician of 20 years experience including emergency room and intensive care experience. i have disaster relief experience including Hurricane Katrina – my work there was officially recognized by Chicago’s City Hall.
I am having a very hard time trying to connect with an organization, on my husbands behalf, that needs a volunteer with his high level skill set in logistics, supply chain, and leadership. I have been searching the internet for 3 days with no luck. His desire is to be of help in the current relief effort in Haiti.
Ron Driggs is a Sr IT Director (Implementation and Customer Management) for a fortune 500 high tech manufacturing company with around 200,000 employees, with 28 years experience in his field. (Ron was employee #154) Athough he is an IT Director, his roots are in the manufacturing side of the business. He has the backing of his CIO to take a short term leave if necessary. A small list of his more pertinent qualifications include, but are not limited to: Domestic and International Supply Chain Management, Forward and Reverse Logistics Solutions, Change Management and the ability to implement recommended changes. Currently drives Best Practices for his company. Able to Assess and articulate the challenges that come up with any fast, chaotic deployment. Has implemented 58 factories in several countries on ERP Systems in record breaking time frames. Business proccesses assessment and recommendations, and consulting. Routinely works in an international setting, and most of his direct report employess live and work in countries other than the US. Used to responding to high alert emergencies that require immediate international attention. Has trained and led up to 32 teams concurrently. Outstanding ability to bridge conflicting visions and bring people/teams together under a single goal. He is one of the best in his business and is highly regarded among his peers worldwide. Holds valid US Passport.
If you are, or know of, an organization that can use his talents to help with the relief effort in Haiti, please email me, as I am acting as his admin/liason in this venture.
Thank you for reading my post. http://www.lindamiller88@hotmail.com
I am a license practical nurse I am willing to help in any kind of way that I can,I have donated money already now i am offering my services in any way possible please keep me inform. I feel useless to see my country goes down the drain, without doing anything it hurts terribly,please don’t leave me out.