On January 12, 2010, 21:53 UTC Haiti was struck by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake, the country's most severe earthquake in over 200 years.
It has been estimated that the death toll could reach 200,000. Widespread damage resulted from the quake, with a majority of buildings collapsing due to poor structural design and construction. The capital city was devastated. The Presidential Palace was badly damaged, with the second floor entirely collapsing onto the first floor; the Haitan Parliament building and the National Cathedral were also destroyed.
Already there is an out pouring of aid to the troubled nation. Celebrities the world over have sent millions. Sandra Bullock donated US$1 Million to Doctors without Borders for their Hatian Operations. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also donated US$1 Million to Partners in Health. Haiti's own Wyclef Jean has mobilised air lifts of aid via his Yele Haiti organisation (
http://www.yele.org/)
For Trini's wishing to assist, here are some ways to help our Caribbean neighbor in there darkest hour:
# Red Cross T&T: accepting cash donations at Republic Bank, account number 1804 8251 7101
# ITNAC (Is There Not A Cause) is collecting both monetary donations at Republic Bank (account name: For This Cause - Haiti, account number: 510009446802), as well as non-perishable food items, clothing, bedding, temporary building supplies, medical supplies, and toiletries at:
* ITNAC Office, Jardine's Plaza, 96 Charlotte Street, Port of Spain (tel: Naomi, 624-4162)
* Hilton Hotel Trinidad, 1B Lady Young Road, Belmont (tel: Olivia Constantine at 682-6755)
* Fangle Dangle, corner Rosalino and Robert Streets, Woodbrook
* Global Revival Ministeries, bypass on Eastern Main Road, Arima
* Jencare Day Spa, 11 Cornelio Street, Woodbrook
* Cards and Stuff, Trincity Mall, Trincity
* CLICO [Trinidad] Ltd - All Branches (contacts: 868-625-4444 Onyka ext. 1214 or Sarah ext. 1212)
# Text message donations:
* bmobile: text HAITI to code GIVE (4483) to donate TT$10 (proceeds go to Medianet and Red Cross Relief Funds)
* Digicel: text HELP to 5151, and Digicel will donate TT$3 per text
# Three groups are collecting non-perishable food and bottled water, blankets and clothing. They can be dropped off at:
* YMCA: Benbow Road, off Wrightson Road (opposite the power station), Port of Spain (tel: 868-625-9622)
* the COP (Congress of the People) Flagship Office on the corner of Tragrete Road and Broome Street in Port of Spain between 9am and 3pm. Please label all bags. Contact Lisa at (868) 683-2364, Kathryn at 632-4079 or Renatta at 632-3284.
* 2 Scott Street, St Clair (corner of Scott and Newbold Streets behind the Ellerslie Private Hospital, formerly Stanley's nursing home), 9am2pm and 57pm until 26 January. For more, visit their Facebook page, email Ariannt@gmail.com, cclem003@gmail.com or call (868) 683-6567, 766-1542
(List compiled @
http://meppublishers.blogspot.com/2010/01/helping-haiti.html)
Feel free to add additional methods to send relief to Haiti that you may know of. They need all the help they can get.