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How To Give Haiti Your Help

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The earthquake that hit Haiti is one of the worst in history, and we are all witnesses to the suffering that the people of this country are going through. Even though you and I may be worlds away from Haiti, there are many ways by which we can help. For sure, you have been looking for ways to donate so here is a list of organizations that you can check out.

The easiest and surest way would be to donate directly to the Red Cross. If you do not know where the nearest Red Cross office is, you simply have to take out your mobile phone (in the US, at least) and send “Haiti” to 90999. In doing so, you will donate $10, which will be billed to your mobile phone plan. Alternatively, you can call 1-800-REDCROSS for more information and options.

Another organization is Doctors Without Borders. They have been actively involved in charitable activities for as long as anyone can remember and they already have started organizing teams to help out in Haiti. To get in touch with them, call 1-888-392-0392.

The Clintons have been key figures in the relief operations in Haiti, and the Clinton Foundation is accepting donations as well. Text “HAITI” to 20222 to donate $10 towards the operations in the country.

There is a more comprehensive list of organizations which you can contact here. Just a word of caution – be very careful as to where and whom you give money to. As sad as it may be, the reality is that there are still those who would take advantage of the situation.

How To Create Your Own Disaster Emergency Kit

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Every house has a first aid kit. That is basic knowledge. But do you have an emergency kit that will help keep you alive just in case you experience a natural disaster? At this point, many families in the Philippines are creating their own disaster emergency kits, if they haven’t got one already. Some may think that it is taking caution to the extreme, but if you experienced what the Filipino people experienced in the past week, you will understand that it can make the difference between life and death.

Here’s what you need to prepare your own disaster emergency kit. Remember, you never know when you might need it.

1. Pack about 2,000 calories worth of food per person per day. Also pack drinking water. There are plenty of preserved and ready to eat food products in the market today. Just make sure that you replace your stock regularly based on the expiration dates.
2. Throw in some warm bedding. Fleece or wool blankets should be the priority as wool acts as a fire retardant. Both materials will keep you warm even if they get wet.
3. A first aid kit should also be included. Pack gauze, medical tape, painkillers, disinfectant, burn and wound cream, petroleum jelly, and blood coagulant.
4. Standard rescue items are a must: a flashlight, matches or a lighter, a whistle, some rope, a Swiss knife, and so on. It’s a good idea to invest in a flashlight and a radio that does not need electric power – there are plenty of options these days.
5. Get a good bag to pack your stuff in. A dry bag (backpack style) is the best option as it is tough and waterproof.

Bottom line: pack only the things that you will need to survive.

Going back to the situation in the Philippines, there are still a lot of people who need aid in terms of food, clothing, and medication. Contact the nearest Red Cross chapter or the Philippine embassy if you want to offer your help. Even better, donate directly to the Philippine Red Cross by clicking below.

The Philippines Could Use Your Help

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Do you consider yourself to be a charitable person? I know a lot of people who have made it their personal goal to do good deeds on a regular basis. They do it not because they want to glorify themselves, but because they value helping others.

At any given point in time, there will always be someone who could use your help. Right now, I cannot help but write about the plight of the people in the Philippines. The effects of Typhoon Ondoy (International name: Ketsana) have been broadcast all over the world, and nary a person is unaware of what happened in this Southeast Asian country.

Over the weekend, record amounts of rain fell in the capital and surrounding areas. A dam was opened to avoid further damage, but it only contributed to the unbelievable flooding that occurred in the cities and outlying regions. A lot of people have died, more are sick, and even more have lost everything they owned.

Imagine this: over 80 percent of the nation’s capital was under water on Sunday. Today, a large part of the metro is still submerged; hundreds of thousands of people are homeless, and families are still unreached by rescue teams.

They call it the “equalizer” – both the rich and the poor alike were not spared; famous and unknown were exposed to the elements. And the more fortunate countrymen are joining together to offer what they can. You may not be Filipino, but you won’t help but be inspired by how they are dealing with this crisis right now. It’s something that we can all learn a lesson from.

For those interested in helping out, contact your local Red Cross chapter.