In the Face of Disaster

By some accounts, the 2010 Haiti Earthquake could end up being the worst natural disaster in modern history. I’m not sure exactly what metrics are used to measure the severity of a disaster, but I’m sure the highest would be in the cost of human life.

The response to this disaster has been overwhelming, at least at the outset, with the Red Cross reportedly raising over $5 million via text message donations alone (which has exceeded the total amount raised in this manner for all of last year). Highly visible and excruciatingly tragic events such as this always seem to amass a large amount of support very quickly.

Looking at the response and the outcry as it plays out in the media, and in online social networking sites has led me to wonder about myself, and my reactions to disaster. In an event of this magnitude, it seems almost natural to pray, and to give, and to support those who are trying to help. I find, however, in other situations, my response may not be as passionate and as natural as it should.

Every day, all around us, people are facing disaster in one way or another. Someone’s lost a home, lost a job, lost a spouse to divorce or an untimely death, lost a child, or lost hope. They’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness, or a potentially terminal illness, or they may have just given up on life. They are the discouraged, the broken, the downtrodden, the homeless, the jobless, and the friendless masses we walk by without noticing.  They are not literally digging out of the rubble of a collapsed home or building brought down by an earthquake, but they have been similarly impacted. Their life has become a disaster.

But for them, there is no international relief organization on it’s way, no telethon, no fundraisers, no worldwide prayer vigil. Thinking about them today makes me almost feel powerless to help, because I know that there are so many in need, but so little time and resources at my disposal.

Doesn’t every disaster deserve a response? What can I, what can WE do in the face of disaster?

Help Haiti

If you haven’t already heard, a powerful earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.

It is estimated that over 100,000 have died, many more are trapped, and up to 3 million Haitians will require some sort of help to recover from this disaster.  It has been reported that all hospitals in Haiti have either collapsed or have been abandoned due to damage, and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, are in need of medical help, not to mention food, water and basic necessities.

There are dozens of organizations that are answering the call for help in Haiti. I would encourage everyone who can to support these organizations who are responding to this disaster.

You can make a donation to any one of various organizations that are now or will be providing earthquake relief in Haiti.  CNN has a pretty exhaustive list of organizations on their website. Update: The Miami Herald also has a very inclusive list as well.  I will mention a few more here that I picked up on Twitter as well:

  • Compassion International: This organization known mainly for connecting children in poverty to sponsors has a disaster relief fund and are raising funds for Haiti.  You can text the word “disaster” to 90999 to give a $10 donation towards their relief efforts in Haiti.  The $10 will be billed to your cell phone account.  No credit card required.  You can also give online here.
  • World Vision: Another organization providing opportunities to sponsor children in poverty is also working toward disaster relief in Haiti.  You can give online here.
  • The Red Cross: Text the word “HAITI” to 90999 to give a $10 donation towards their relief efforts in Haiti.  The $10 will be billed to your cell phone account.  No credit card required.
  • The Assemblies of God has created a disaster relief fund for Haiti as well. Information is here.
  • WyClef Jean(formerly of The Fugees) has a foundation called Yele Haiti that is collecting donations toward relief efforts in Haiti.  You can donate at the website or by texting the word “Yele” to 501501 to donate $5 via your cell phone.
  • SafeWaterNexus is collecting funds and item donations for Haiti.  Information is here.
  • Hollywood Unites for Haiti is a non-profit organized by Jimmy Jean-Louis (“the Haitian” from the NBC Series Heroes) that works with underprivileged youth in Haiti.  You can donate to their disaster relief efforts here.
  • Update: One Day’s Wages is sending $5,000 to Haiti, and wants us to help match it.

Update: If you are concerned about where your money is going, check out Charity Navigator to see how the charity rates, and avoid getting scammed.

Above all else, please pray for the people of Haiti.

Updated 4:36 PM CST 1/13/10

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