Let’s get beyond well wishes and help our Haitian family. These 10 organizations are trying to make donations count
By Shantell E. Jamison
Ebony, October 6, 2016 —
When a devastating earthquake leveled Haiti to rubble in 2010, millions of people donated to the American Red Cross, and according to NPR, the charity raised close to half a billion dollars.
Despite vowing to help Haitians rebuild their homeland, there seemingly isn’t very much to show for all of the funds the organization collected.
And now the country has yet another catastrophe to recover from days after Hurricane Matthew struck.
Haiti’s death toll now stands at 1,000 and counting, and President Obama has sent assistance to the region to help rebuild.
But more can be done. If you’re wondering how and where to donate, here are ten organizations to consider. Remember, use your own discernment.
1) St. Boniface Haiti Foundation
The St. Boniface Haiti Foundation has a four-star rating on Charity Navigator, a website that presents unbiased information and ratings on not-for-profit organizations. It operates a full-service hospital located on the southern peninsula of Haiti. The foundation employs members of its team to provide assistance to residents in isolated parts of the country, according to a spokesman. Click here for more information.
2) Lambi Fund of Haiti
Founded jointly in 1994 by Haitians and Americans, this Haitian and U.S.-based grassroots organization works to collaborate with organizations in the country to gain understanding on how best to serve the people of Haiti. Funding from the organization goes to sustainable development, such as structural projects that help increase food security and income for families, self-sustaining community projects, wealth building and the conservation of Haiti’s natural resources. More info can be found at www.lambifund.org.
3) Haiti Communitere
Located in Port-au-Prince, this community-based organization provides support to community members interested in rebuilding the land and strengthening their communities. “We strive to serve as a support system and resource center for communities, social entrepreneurs and development groups,” the organization’s website states. “The projects come from our partners and we facilitate these projects through access to resources, people and ideas.” Click here for more information.
4) MADRE
MADRE is based in New York and Haiti. The organization works with local grassroots women’s groups who can reach the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas with vital aid. The organization has delivered emergency aid and cholera prevention kits to women and families in devastated communities. For more information, visit www.madre.org.
5) Direct Relief
Direct Relief provides emergency medical assistance and has vowed that every cent of every donation related to Hurricane Matthew will be used for relief efforts. It is made available its entire inventory of medicines and supplies—valued at close to $100 million—to help those affected by Hurricane Matthew, according to the organization’s website. In addition the organization has committed up to $250,000 in cash to assist with the storm response. For more on what the organization is doing specifically for the people of Haiti, visit www.directrelief.org.
6) Food for the Poor
Food for the Poor purchases, ships and delivers emergency supplies to help those in need. The organization—one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the U.S.—provides food, secure housing, clean water, healthcare, emergency relief and educational opportunities to countries in need. Visit www.foodforthepoor.org for more information.
7) Hope for Haiti
Hope for Haiti’s efforts seem to be in full swing following the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. A number of the organization’s staff members are based in Haiti, and are providing medical outreach to Hope for Haiti’s partner communities via cholera prevention kits, medications for cholera treatment and a host of other ailments sustained by many of the country’s residents. The organization has also distributed over $100,000,000 in cash and in-kind donations for program support for poverty reduction, according to Hope for Haiti’s website.
8) Sow A Seed
Founded by several Haitian-American women a little over a decade ago, Sow A Seed is a volunteer-based organization that works with struggling orphanages in the Caribbean. It assist them with food, shelter, education and healthcare. It regularly serves and supports the Caribbean’s most vulnerable children in the areas of health and nutrition, education, shelter and arts & recreation. For more information, visit www.sowaseedonline.org.
9) Haitian Health Foundation
The mission of the Haitian Health Foundation (HHF) is to improve the health and well-being of women, children, families and communities living in the greater Jérémie region through healthcare, education and community development. The foundation provides services via a secondary care outpatient clinic, a public outreach program and nutritional rehabilitation services, and humanitarian relief. To donate to the foundation, visit www.haitianhealthfoundation.org.
10) Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization that provides nearly 60 countries to people threatened by neglect, catastrophe, or violence as a result of epidemics, armed conflict, exclusion from health care or natural disasters. [www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/haiti]
