Local tragedies have a way of uniting us globally. I was first made aware of this when Roberto Clemente, much beloved Pittsburgh Pirate, was killed in a post-earthquake aid and goodwill ambassador role in his native Nicaragua. All of baseball mourned #21, who was just responding through the goodness of his heart.
This week’s disaster in Haiti calls for the same global response. Thanks to fellow Tiger Melinda Millberg for the following list of advocacy groups who will get practical, functional aid to Haiti. I’m a huge supporter of Cameron Sinclair’s Architecture For Humanity (disclosure: in a previous role at Sun my team and I helped build his website and architecture sharing content management service as part of Cameron’s TED prize), and clean drinking water will likely become a rate-limiting factor for survivors.
American Jewish World Service Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund
Partners in Health, already on the ground in Haiti and mobilizing their relief efforts.
Action Against Hunger. Text “HAITI” to “90999″ from the US to donate $10 to the Red Cross. The US State Department very quickly put together this number to channel relief contributions directly to first responders.
Wyclef Jean’s Yele foundation to permanently improve the lives of the most impoverished in his home country of Haiti. Text “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti.
United Jewish Appeal (Federation)
Architecture For Humanity Cameron Sinclair and his non-profit Architecture for Humanity can be found at virtually every developing world disaster site on the planet. These guys are a collection of design and housing geniuses who work tirelessly to provide shelter for the most deserving.
Charity Water works to bring clean water to the 1 billion people on the planet who don’t have it.
Do your research if you give to "lesser" known charities. Sadly scams are inevitable. If in doubt, check local resources like GuideStar, CharityNavigator or government websites.