Humanitarian aid for Haiti.

The American Red Cross issued a call to action today, asking citizens to step up and donate funds for those devastated by the catastrophic earthquake that just struck Haiti.

You can send your support via direct transfer to account number 2340009-1511555516 using authorization code 01, by calling the donation hotline at 0609011—please note the call rate is $2.00 (tax included)—or simply make an online contribution through the official American Red Cross website: www.redcross.org.

http://cnn.com/news/us/relief-efforts-for-haiti.html

😢

Hey everyone, just call the number listed or donate online. What’s happening in Haiti is a total biblical disaster—seriously, those folks are in desperate need of any kind of help they can get. Don't go overthinking whether every single cent goes exactly where you intended because, let's be real, it won't always work perfectly—but at least some of it will actually reach those poor souls who deserve a fighting chance to clear out the rubble, bury their dead, and try to pick up the pieces of their lives after this mess!!!

What a total disaster, nature just reminding us who’s actually in charge. I really hope the money actually makes it to the people who need it most.

Nancy Wood6 said:Hey everyone, just call the number listed or donate online. What’s happening in Haiti is a total biblical disaster—seriously, those folks are in desperate need of any kind of help they can get. Don't go overthinking whether every single cent goes exactly where you intended because, let's be real, it won't always work perfectly—but at least some of it will actually reach those poor souls who deserve a fighting chance to clear out the rubble, bury their dead, and try to pick up the pieces of their lives after this mess!!!

Nancy Wood6 is right—you just have to send it without overthinking it. This is a massive tragedy for a country that was already struggling. We have to help these people, even if only 5% of what we give actually reaches them. It’s just pure horror out there.

No, I’m actually against any kind of outside assistance. I just feel like if we take help from others, there's a high chance it'll just end up being stolen or mismanaged somewhere along the line. In my opinion, we're probably best off just handling things ourselves.

James Nguyen13 said:No, I’m actually against any kind of outside assistance. I just feel like if we take help from others, there's a high chance it'll just end up being stolen or mismanaged somewhere along the line. In my opinion, we're probably best off just handling things ourselves.

Still, everyone should probably chip in at least $17...

Come on, people—chip in whatever you can. Don't be selfish. Just think about how many kids are suffering over there...

Sometimes, doing nothing is better than throwing money at people you can't actually help.
I'm sure many of you will jump down my throat immediately.
The issue is that this earthquake in Haiti doesn't mean everything was perfect before it hit.
It wasn't. Haiti has always been a mess. Now, the American Red Cross has suddenly remembered they can make a profit off it.

The truth is, you'll donate your hundred bucks and feel like you've saved the world. That money will never actually reach Haiti; in two months, we'll all be wondering what happened to them. Meanwhile, certain executives at the American Red Cross will just see bigger bonuses.
In two months, Haiti will return to exactly how it was before the quake, and all that "big-hearted" sympathy for the poor will vanish during summer vacation.
As for the money hitting the Haitian government's accounts? It’ll likely be diverted to pay off debts to the IMF and the World Bank.
People will still be starving, and absolutely nothing will change.

It’s a total tragedy, and such a broke-ass country too. We should step up and help, even if it's just by sending something through this number.

Hannah Hill3 said:Sometimes, doing nothing is better than throwing money at people you can't actually help.
I'm sure many of you will jump down my throat immediately.
The issue is that this earthquake in Haiti doesn't mean everything was perfect before it hit.
It wasn't. Haiti has always been a mess. Now, the American Red Cross has suddenly remembered they can make a profit off it.

The truth is, you'll donate your hundred bucks and feel like you've saved the world. That money will never actually reach Haiti; in two months, we'll all be wondering what happened to them. Meanwhile, certain executives at the American Red Cross will just see bigger bonuses.
In two months, Haiti will return to exactly how it was before the quake, and all that "big-hearted" sympathy for the poor will vanish during summer vacation.
As for the money hitting the Haitian government's accounts? It’ll likely be diverted to pay off debts to the IMF and the World Bank.
People will still be starving, and absolutely nothing will change.

You've probably got a point, but when something this bad happens, you don't really have time to dig into the politics; you just hope that the few dollars you give actually find their way to the people who need them most.

Hannah Hill3 said:Sometimes, doing nothing is better than throwing money at people you can't actually help.
I'm sure many of you will jump down my throat immediately.
The issue is that this earthquake in Haiti doesn't mean everything was perfect before it hit.
It wasn't. Haiti has always been a mess. Now, the American Red Cross has suddenly remembered they can make a profit off it.

The truth is, you'll donate your hundred bucks and feel like you've saved the world. That money will never actually reach Haiti; in two months, we'll all be wondering what happened to them. Meanwhile, certain executives at the American Red Cross will just see bigger bonuses.
In two months, Haiti will return to exactly how it was before the quake, and all that "big-hearted" sympathy for the poor will vanish during summer vacation.
As for the money hitting the Haitian government's accounts? It’ll likely be diverted to pay off debts to the IMF and the World Bank.
People will still be starving, and absolutely nothing will change.

Do you actually have any proof for those claims? 🤮

Hannah Hill3 said:Sometimes, doing nothing is better than throwing money at people you can't actually help.
I'm sure many of you will jump down my throat immediately.
The issue is that this earthquake in Haiti doesn't mean everything was perfect before it hit.
It wasn't. Haiti has always been a mess. Now, the American Red Cross has suddenly remembered they can make a profit off it.

The truth is, you'll donate your hundred bucks and feel like you've saved the world. That money will never actually reach Haiti; in two months, we'll all be wondering what happened to them. Meanwhile, certain executives at the American Red Cross will just see bigger bonuses.
In two months, Haiti will return to exactly how it was before the quake, and all that "big-hearted" sympathy for the poor will vanish during summer vacation.
As for the money hitting the Haitian government's accounts? It’ll likely be diverted to pay off debts to the IMF and the World Bank.
People will still be starving, and absolutely nothing will change.

What you said is ugly, and the way you said it is worse. It’s pretty obvious you have no clue how the Red Cross actually operates. Instead of picking fights on a forum, it would be more human to at least pass along a donation hotline. You aren't going to die from $2.00.

And don't forget—we live in a seismically active zone too. This could happen here any day. If an earthquake hits on the scale of this one, no country on Earth can handle it alone with its own resources. That's why we should be thankful for solidary people and nations.

Those same people who are whining right now would be the very first ones to attack the international community if something like this happened to us.

If you have any shred of compassion left, show it, because this is disgusting. Unfortunately, it just highlights a part of our own twisted mentality.

Most of the supplies aren't going to vanish; they'll probably end up lost somewhere on Tahiti, where some fool in the middle of the chaos decides to start looting, though I truly believe most things will eventually make their way back to the people who need them.
The only thing weighing on my mind is whether our local corporations are going to swoop in and take a couple of bucks per unit just because they're called upon? That seems to be the only real avenue for mass theft in this country.

Regardless of how things shake out, we have to help people, because it’s just devastating when your entire world collapses in the span of five minutes. We should focus on helping folks right now because of the earthquake, and then, well, let them deal with whatever consequences come from their own actions later on.

Come on, guys, let's be real here.
If there's even a remote chance that this money actually reaches the people who need it, then just chip in a few bucks without overthinking it. Sure, corruption exists in humanitarian organizations—I'm not naive—but you can't just write off the whole system as a scam. That’s why you should donate $17 (which isn't going to break your bank, anyway) so that if any of it makes it to Haiti, $8.25 at least you know you did your part with $8.25. If everyone on the planet acted this way, we'd see far fewer casualties during the evacuation phase and the messy aftermath of treating the wounded and preventing outbreaks.

I’d like to ask the moderators if we could keep this thread pinned at the top for a while, much like most of the humanitarian threads lately. It seems everyone has found their compassionate side recently, hasn't it?

"The Prime Minister of Haiti, Jean-Max Bellerive, has expressed fears that the death toll could climb past 100,000. President René Garcia Préval estimated that following the devastating earthquake, there might be around 50,000 fatalities, though a Haitian senator is warning of an even darker figure—as many as half a million victims. The UN has pledged $10 million in financial aid, and the World Bank has already wired $100 million to Haiti. Furthermore, millions of dollars in donations are pouring in from countries all over the world, and numerous rescue teams are arriving to assist the injured and search for bodies and survivors amidst the rubble of the capital. The U.S. Government has approved millions in aid for Catholic Charities to support those affected by the earthquake in Haiti, according to announcements from the White House. One of the primary tasks for international teams is to secure clean drinking water, shelters, and sanitation facilities for the survivors. Haiti has also issued an urgent plea for medical supplies, which are in critically short supply as injured citizens wait in long lines for basic medical care."The U.S. Government has authorized significant funding for Catholic Charities to assist those suffering from the earthquake in Haiti, as reported by the White House.One of the main priorities for international crews is providing potable water, temporary housing, and sanitation for the survivors. Haiti has sent out a desperate call for medicine, as there is a severe shortage right when the injured are lining up just to get basic medical attention. "The Prime Minister of Haiti, Jean-Max Bellerive, stated he fears the casualty count could exceed 100,000. President René Garcia Préval estimated about 50,000 deaths following the catastrophic quake, while a Haitian senator is forecasting a grim total of half a million. The UN announced $10 million in aid, while the World Bank has already sent $100 million to Haiti. Additionally, millions in aid are flowing in from nations globally, and rescue teams are flooding in to help the wounded and search for remains and survivors within the ruins of the capital. The U.S. Government has released funds to Catholic Charities to aid earthquake victims in Haiti, per statements from the White House. A key mission for international teams involves ensuring access to clean water, shelter, and sanitation for those left alive. Haiti has appealed for medical assistance due to the dire lack of supplies as the injured wait in line for essential care."

A city in ruins.

You’d have to skip at least one cup of coffee just to wrap your head around the sheer scale of this number. What happened was nothing short of catastrophic, truly horrific. I keep trying to put myself in their shoes, imagining if something like this hit us here at home—every bit of assistance would be a godsend. In my view, the American Red Cross, or whoever else is stepping up to lead the relief efforts, is doing a damn fine job; it’s not like every single person out there is some crooked thief. At the end of the day, I’d much rather pay those $2.00 and live with the hope that the funds weren't swindled away, rather than just playing dumb and claiming everyone involved is a common crook.

We managed to pull together $25,000 by 2 p.m.

Nancy Wood6 said:Hey everyone, just call the number listed or donate online. What’s happening in Haiti is a total biblical disaster—seriously, those folks are in desperate need of any kind of help they can get. Don't go overthinking whether every single cent goes exactly where you intended because, let's be real, it won't always work perfectly—but at least some of it will actually reach those poor souls who deserve a fighting chance to clear out the rubble, bury their dead, and try to pick up the pieces of their lives after this mess!!!

Unfortunately, people are far too preoccupied with themselves, worrying incessantly about where their damn money is going to end up... God help us all.

Jesse Howard3 said:Come on, guys, let's be real here.
If there's even a remote chance that this money actually reaches the people who need it, then just chip in a few bucks without overthinking it. Sure, corruption exists in humanitarian organizations—I'm not naive—but you can't just write off the whole system as a scam. That’s why you should donate $17 (which isn't going to break your bank, anyway) so that if any of it makes it to Haiti, $8.25 at least you know you did your part with $8.25. If everyone on the planet acted this way, we'd see far fewer casualties during the evacuation phase and the messy aftermath of treating the wounded and preventing outbreaks.

I AGREE

Kevin Gonzalez79 said:Those same people who are whining right now would be the very first ones to attack the international community if something like this happened to us.

If you have any shred of compassion left, show it, because this is disgusting. Unfortunately, it just highlights a part of our own twisted mentality.

YES, IT'S TRUE, AND TRAGICALLY SO...