Helping Haiti

From: Kathy Cloninger, National CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has issued a list of organizations that are accepting donations for relief efforts. I have included the list below. WAGGGS is also reminding all Girl Scouts that the theme of World Thinking Day this year is “ending extreme poverty and hunger.” The tragic events in Haiti can clearly serve as a way to educate our girls about the issues of extreme poverty and hunger throughout the world.

It is at times like these that Girl Scouts throughout the world come together in sisterhood and to take action to help those in need. We have seen our Movement rally in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters over the years, and I know that all of us in Girl Scouting will do everything we can to help Haiti and its people in the weeks and months ahead.

Below are list of ways to help:

· The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its International Response Fund.



· Pan American Development Foundation

The foundation is encouraging people to donate through its Web site at www.PanAmericanRelief.org.



· UNICEF

UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.



· Oxfam

You can donate to online at Oxfam America at www.oxfamamerica.org.



· Save The Children

Save the Children has launched an emergency relief effort for Haiti. Donate to Save the Children.



· Mercy Corps

Donate online, call 1-888-256-1900 or send checks to:

Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund

Dept NR

PO Box 2669

Portland, OR 97208



· Doctors Without Boarders

Doctors Without Boarders has set up clinics to treat people in Haiti. Donate to Doctors Without Borders.



· The UN World Food Programme

The UN World Food Programme is gathering all available resources to deliver food to the recently homeless and impoverished in Haiti. Donations can be made through www.wfp.org/donate/haiti



· CARE

CARE is deploying emergency team members to Port-au-Prince to assist in recovery efforts. It’s focusing its efforts on rescuing children who may still be trapped in schools that collapsed. Donate to CARE



· The International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee is deploying an emergency response team to Haiti. Donate to the IRC Haiti Crisis Fund.



· World Vision

World Vision has more 370 staff members in the Haiti. Donate to World Vision.



· United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)

This fund is used for emergencies like the earthquake in Haiti. Donate online.