Friday, January 15, 2010

Haiti

I'm sure you've all heard about Haiti's devastating earthquake.

Today, Ophelia Dahl '94 (our commencement speaker) spoke about Haiti at Wellesley. She is the executive director of Partners in Health, which has brought healthcare and community services to thousands in Haiti.

Listen to her remarks here and take a look at Partners in Health's work.

Also, if you are able to give money or medical supplies, the CWS has compiled a list of suggested organizations, which I'll paste into the comments below.


3 comments:

Amita Parashar said...

Organizations which are providing assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti:

Founder by Gerdès Fleurant, Ph.D. and Florienne M. Saintil, M.Ed., the Gawou Ginou Foundation, Inc. is a non profit 501 ( c ) (3) corporation whose aim is to engage community members in activities leading to the preservation, promotion, and support of Haitian culture. Gerdès taught in the Wellesley College Music Department until 2005. To make a donation, visit: http://www.gawouginoufoundation.org/support.htm

Oxfam America has created the Haiti Earthquake Response fund. Information on donations can be found at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/

Partners in Health (PIH), Boston-based non-profit that has worked in Haiti for 23 years and has set up a field hospital there to treat the wounded. PIH is seeking donations and other support. Information on donations can be found at http://www.pih.org/

To make a donation to the Red Cross simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts (the amount is charged to your cell phone bill).

UNICEF, United Nations Children's Fund, is responding to the disaster with an initial $500,000 donation and support in the field. UNICEF has worked in Haiti since the 1940s. Information about donations can be found at http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/haiti_52423.html
Information on the developments in Haiti and a list of resources can be found on the The Boston Haitian Reporter at http://www.bostonhaitian.com/

The Center for International Disaster Information has created a website with links to organizations that are accepting donations and other resources related to the earthquake. The CIDI, funded by the US Agency for International Development, has guidelines on how to contribute appropriately to disaster relief. The key point is that the best contribution is money, not clothes and food, because money can be directed more quickly and efficiently to meet the needs of victims. http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/
Funding Resources for Fundraisers:

Students, faculty, and staff needing seed money to hold a fundraiser for earthquake relief can apply for funding through the CWS Quick Fix Grant Program. Information on the CWS Quick Fix Grants can be found at: http://www.wellesley.edu/CWS/quick.html. The deadline for grants for earthquake relief are ongoing and will be evaluated as they are received. The deadlines on the CWS web site do not apply. Questions should be directed to Melissa Hawkins.

Sarah Hope said...

Thanks for posting this information!

Sarah Hope

CarmelaU said...
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