Earthquake in Haiti
The world rushes to help
Celebrities, governments and school children are rushing to raise money for Haiti after the country was devastated by a massive earthquake last week.
Thousands have been killed by the earthquake and thousands more have been left homeless. Haitians have no access to food or clean water and hospitals don’t have the resources or equipment to treat the injured.
But people all over the world have responded in Haiti’s hour of need. President Obama urged Americans to text the word ‘Haiti’ to a special phone number and donate $10. After just 24 hours, Americans had donated $1.7million.
Rihanna, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake and other singers performed a concert for MTV to persuade people to phone in and donate during a live ‘telethon’.
In Norwich, England, St Thomas More School showed that ‘every little helps’ by raising £700 with a ‘Hats for Haiti’ day. Pupils wore hats to school and gave a donation.
At first, international aid struggled to reach Haiti because the country has a very small airport and many roads had been blocked by fallen buildings. But now the U.S. and the United Nations are coordinating the relief effort and more aid is finally getting through.
If you raise money for Haiti, how can you make sure that it reaches its destination?
The American Institute of Philanthropy and the FBI (the American crime investigation department) gives this advice:
- Use well-known charities, such as the Red Cross
- Look for organizations that were in Haiti before the earthquake
- Be sceptical of people posing as earthquake survivors or asking for donations via e-mail
Download an audio version of this article
Have you ever raised money for charity? What did you do?
What do you think is the most effective way of raising money?
L. Abassi/Minustah, K.Cox/Getty Images.
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22 January 2010 at 22:11
I think that it’s a big tragedy when so many people are left homeless (or even dead) and they have to cope with their problems on their own. It’s very difficult to survive in the conditions and with the problems they have to face. All over the world there are many charity organizations.
22 January 2010 at 22:12
The saddest thing about them is the fact that most of them usually start acting when there is a sudden disaster. But fortunately, there are also organizations that help day by day. They bring help to the most injured and people who need most help. Even in Poland there is an amazing charity organization.
22 January 2010 at 22:12
It is called The Great Orchestra of the Christmas Help. In most cities there are concerts, many volunteers are walking in the cities, collecting money and giving red, heart-shaped stickers with the name of the organization written on them.
23 January 2010 at 00:31
Personally,I have donated money to our school when we raised money for a classmate of ours who came up against serious heart problems and it was unfortunately an emergency to have a crucial operation.In my opinion the most effective way of raising money would be a bazaar where people could come to buy several things.We held such a bazaar at my english school three years ago.Earnings were offered to a charity for children with special needs.
23 January 2010 at 13:01
The earthquake was horrible and everybody should do their best so as to help the victims of a catastrophe. The habitants of Haiti are made to live in such a sorry state after the accident, the present situations is fraught with difficulties. It is significant case to donate money for the casualties. I think that the events such as concerts will attract people and enlighten them the burning issue. The contemporary stars have the great influence and they can easily play on people's heart strings, maybe they will persuade the society to go hand in hand in order to help the habitants of Haiti to rebuild their homes and fullfill their needs. In my country there are also many volonteers colecting on Haiti behalf. I was agitated to hear that there were some frauds who beguiled money pretending to work for Red Cross. I hope that the situation in Haiti will improve and that the epidemic won;t spread.
23 January 2010 at 13:52
unfortunalety, it's not first, and last earthquake. it's horrible that many people are left homeless.fortunately there are organisations like Red Cross, in Poland 'The Great Orchestra of the Christmas Help', etc. I see that also singers watn to help- it's very kind and admirable :)
23 January 2010 at 13:56
I, of course, also help if I can- for example in school when people from GOCC raise money. What about the most effective way of raising money? I think (the same like adamcv) that bazaar could be a fantastic idea. The same like concert- alive and in tv, sms or raising money, like in Poland ( above-mentioned GOCC) :)
23 January 2010 at 17:24
I also always help, more often than not, like arak, in school- when people from GOCC raise money. I also give money beggers (sometimes) and (mostly) people, who play music ('street musicans'). In my opinion, the best effective way of rasing money is every kind of charity concerts or gathering in school or churches everything which can be useful (clothes, food, toys, books, etc) for children's home.
23 January 2010 at 18:49
I have raised lots of money for someone who needed to have opration but have no money. he was about to die if he wouldnt get that operation. so i talked with my teachers and immediately i went to all classes in my school, asked them to bring money tomorrow for that man. the result was impressive, i found even more money than the man needed. we gave it all to him via bank account. he thanked a lot to my school, we all saved his life. when you ask a homeless person that what would he do if he get a lot of money. he answers i would help lots of poor people. he wants to share even when he has nothing. and we have the money, we have nice clothes which we dont wear if we dont like the brand, our tummy is full. then why dont we think about share when even a homeless man does?
23 January 2010 at 20:12
Yes, that was really big tragedy. I gave some money for the people living in Haiti. However, I have read, that they have enough food, but they cannot spread it... Hm.,. I don't know what I should think about that.
23 January 2010 at 20:21
Each year, we raise money for something with our school. I think the most effective way of raising money is to be famous and do something on the tv. If you aren't famous, I think the best way of raising money is to work.
24 January 2010 at 08:49
I raised money for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Help (I don't know how to translate it properly - Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy). And we stood with boxes, where people threw money. It was a very interesting event and I enjoyed it a lot! Many people wanted to help and they were happy to do it. But there were also people, who felt in some ways forced to do it. At least that's what I thought then, standing in snow and watching them. I think that there are many effective ways of raising money. In Poland it is very good idea to stand next to church. I don't like it, but it's true. And I experienced it myself, because when I raised the money (I mentioned it above), I was standing in such place. But a good ideas in other countries are also big shops, concerts, raising money in schools and many other. Nothing's impossible, when you really want to help. I also think that advice from the The American Institute of Philanthropy and the FBI in this article is very good. There is some useful information and people not connected with any kind of charity organisation will certainly know what to do not to make matters worse.
24 January 2010 at 14:57
In my opinion people from other country should help the victims of this tragedy. Give $ 20 or some clothes, food is nothing compared with the loss of home, families and whole life. I'm happy when I learn about the collection of money for people living in Haiti, it's great that in the face of tragedy, the whole world can be united. :)
24 January 2010 at 17:46
Well, I was on my way to die because of nature. One day, I was wandering in mountains with my parents and I wanted to hawe a rest, byt dad refused. So we started to go down. When we was halfway, huge lightning hit the place, where people rest. What about donation, I've always encouraged "The Great Ochestry of Christmas Help" - Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy, which is the biggest charitable foundation in Poland. Each year, on the first January Sunday the Final of WOŚP is taking place. A few years ago I was one of the volunteers. Most effective way of raising money? There is no one way. It depends on who and purpose of raising.
24 January 2010 at 19:10
This people's situation is really bad. I think that everybody who can do it should help them. Even such small donation as 1$ gives this people a better view for tomorrow. Nobody knows if/when a similar situation will happen to himself, so we should help them as much as we can, because we never know if a similar situation is going to happen to us - then we are going to need a donation. Keep your sight at charity, you don't even know how big help you can give to someone by not buying ice cream, or a burger.
25 January 2010 at 15:55
That was a tragedy. I'm under the impression that to much people can conjoin and help the victims of earthquake. I also think that more famous people (not only mentioned) are capable of help them, becouse they have an opportunity to raise a lot of money, but they don't do it... I ask you "Why?"
25 January 2010 at 16:08
It is very sad that the situation is getting worse and worse..
25 January 2010 at 18:21
I really sympathize with victims of this tragedy. I can't imagine myself under that circumstances. In my opinion a very efective way of raising money is collecting in churches, which usually brings very good results.
26 January 2010 at 15:38
In my opinion the charities show real faces of people. We can see a lot of women and men, who have big and hot hearts and will do everything to help victims of the tragedy and who do it selflessly. But of course some of helping ones, shows their short shrift and selfishness. Such tragedy as earthquake in Haiti is something rare, but year by year is becoming common. All remember the earthquake on Indian Ocean, which caused tsunami in 2004. The tsunami caused greatest damage on the coast of Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. What about the method, I agree wiht Oluchna, but also recording special songs by famous artists is very good way. I remember few of them: "We are the world", "Do They Know It's Christmas?", "Pokonamy fale" .(polish song fto help Sri Lanka). Sing to the world!
26 January 2010 at 18:03
Unfortunately these tragedies are things that happen! Last year also here in Italy came a terrible earthquake that killed nearly 300 people. So I think that we must help us and help who have need in this moment!!
28 January 2010 at 15:10
I think that we have to send food, medicines and money to help Haiti, so all us must collaborate .
28 January 2010 at 15:44
It's one of the biggest earthquakes. It's really terrible.
29 January 2010 at 08:36
The earthquake is always an horrible event; last year in my country there was a big earthquake and all the population of Italy joined together for help the people of Abruzzo. Now, in Haiti there are thousands of dead and hundreds of people buried under the rubble of palaces and houses. I think that people of the world must helps Haitians for their survival and i think that raise money is a right thing for this case.
29 January 2010 at 08:37
This is a direct S.O.S from the Earth! We're going to see the swiftly degradation of our planet.. We have to help Haitians, with money, foods and offering a home to the tousands of children who needs.. Than we have to save our planet, because if the eart is really going to degenerate, we have to do something!! or not?? Do you think that "Someone" can doing it for us?? I don't think so, it's easy if everyone do a little thing, but it's impossible if a little part of the peole have to do lots of things!!
29 January 2010 at 08:37
the earthquake in haiti was a catastrophic event which has destroyed a a country and killed thousands of people, and many are homless. This situation is really terrible, these people need help and solidarity.
29 January 2010 at 19:32
I think that these people need also some prayer for them. I know, not everybody believes in such things, but even a few minutes of thinking about them or wishing them well - I trust it may help them.
30 January 2010 at 12:29
the situation is very difficult... i'm so sorry for the people pf Haiti... fortunally, we can help them...even if we can't understand how they feel,there.. It's very beautiful the action of a lot of Singers that are sensitive to this event... But we must remeber that everybody must do something for this peple...! <3 They can find the smile,as us... :)
30 January 2010 at 17:01
it was a tragedy but we all together can help them!!!!!!!!!!!
30 January 2010 at 21:07
there is a big risk, that our money, which we raise for Haiti may doesn't reach its destination... It is very sad, but people prey on other people's misfortunes and steal money from charity. So we should watch out where we give our donation.
31 January 2010 at 14:13
i was really sad when i heard the news about this earthquake. i think about 110 thousand people died in this earthquake. obviously we have to send them food, medicines and shelter for the homeless and poor.
1 February 2010 at 18:51
Haiti has been suffering from poor and crime from 20 years. Last time when i was watching news about earthquake the reporter said that it was "country forgot even by a God". It is a bit sad that we only remember about poor people when some disaster comes.
4 February 2010 at 20:37
I can't imagine how mentally strong have to be this poor people. They have lost everything in a few seconds. Now they have to look at this horrible effects every single day. All gesture out of the goodness of peoples hearts is a chance for better. Now we all have to remember that they request our help not only now but especially in difficult future. They really need our donate but also we should give them our memorial.
4 February 2010 at 20:59
God help those poor people because sending food and medical help is not going to solve that huge problem. Furtunatelly many countries offer help! Furthermore is defenately the worst fact after the tsounami that happend a few years ago. Third world countries are always hitted from nature.
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