Haiti

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In case you live under a rock, the Canadian government today announced that they'll match donations given to registered Canadian charitable organizations specifically for Haiti relief.

Details here

[DevO]

I am happy to see them doing this once again. BUT:

The Government of Canada will match dollar for dollar the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti, up to a total of $50 million.

When do we find out which organizations are eligible?

[RobL]

greenpeace forsure

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I am happy to see them doing this once again. BUT:

The Government of Canada will match dollar for dollar the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti, up to a total of $50 million.

When do we find out which organizations are eligible?

The next Q in the FAQ kind of addresses that.

The maximum amount per single donation that the government will match is $100,000. To count toward the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, donations must be:

made by an individual Canadian;

made to a registered Canadian charitable organization that is receiving donations in response to the January 12 Haiti earthquake;

specifically earmarked by such organizations for the purpose of responding to the earthquake; and,

made between January 12 and February 12, 2010.

The government will not match donations made by corporations, governments, businesses, partnerships, schools, incorporated or non-incorporated entities, or unions from their existing resources that were not raised from individuals specifically in response to the earthquake. However, amounts raised from fundraising events undertaken to raise money from individuals in response to the earthquake are eligible, and this fundraising may be undertaken by schools, faith-based organizations, clubs, social groups, businesses, incorporated entities, or charitable organizations.

When I donated to the Red Cross there was a box asking where I'd like my money to be directed, the earthquake was an option. Perhaps other charities are doing the same type of thing. Or you can call your MP or a CIDA representative, or check with the charity. I don't know if they'll publish a list.

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There is a good (but incomplete) list here

One organization that is missing is Habitat For Humanity.

[rubberdinghy]

Can we vote for voodoolady?

All kidding aside....such a tragedy. Hoping all my cousins in law are OK.

[slavetothegroove]

I donated to Doctors Without Borders, they had an option to choose where you want the money directed. They are on the list of Canadian organizations the government will match.

[DevO]

Whoops, pardon my oversight there (lonng day in front of the screen). I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure Habitat for Humanity doesn't operate in emergency relief situations.

[AD]

My Mom is a VP for HFH Canada and she told me they were accepting donations for Haiti.

And here is their press release.

Habitat for Humanity Will Address Housing Needs in Haiti After Major Earthquake

Habitat for Humanity Canada will be providing significant support to the disaster response efforts of Habitat for Humanity International, which is currently assessing the response options in Haiti after a major earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince on Tuesday.

WATERLOO, Ontario (Jan. 13, 2010) — Habitat for Humanity International is currently assessing the impact on affordable housing in Haiti after a 7.0 earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince. Habitat for Humanity International and Habitat for Humanity Canada will develop an appropriate response as needs and available resources become clearer.

"Habitat for Humanity will mobilize all available resources to address shelter solutions for low-income families affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday,†said Torre Nelson, area vice president of Habitat for Humanity International’s Latin America and Caribbean office. "We are closely monitoring the situation and have been in contact with Habitat for Humanity Haiti. We will begin Habitat’s recovery efforts as soon as possible.â€

"Habitat for Humanity is sending an assessment team into the impacted area,†said Kip Scheidler, senior director Global Disaster Response, Habitat for Humanity International. "Once we know the full magnitude of this disaster, we’ll begin Habitat’s recovery process.â€

Habitat for Humanity has been at work in Haiti for 26 years and will use its local expertise and mobilize resources as part of the rebuilding efforts. Habitat has provided more than 2,000 Haitian families with housing solutions through a variety of initiatives including new home construction, progressive building, home repairs and improvements. It also builds capacity in construction skills, disaster mitigation and financial literacy, and works in coordination with community and government agencies.

The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, has announced that the Government of Canada will immediately provide up to $5 million for urgent humanitarian assistance to Haitians affected by the catastrophic earthquake on January 12th, according to CIDA. This will help provide emergency shelter, medical services, food, relief items, water and sanitation services, as well as protection.

"Our government is deeply concerned about the impact of the earthquake and we want to ensure that the immediate basic needs of the Haitian people are met quickly and effectively," said Minister Oda. "In the face of so much devastation, we will continue to work closely with local authorities, international organizations and UN agencies to help bring relief to those affected and provide support as people rebuild their lives and communities."

"Habitat for Humanity Canada will be lending our support to the disaster response efforts and are once again anticipating an outpouring of support from Canadians, given our country’s tremendous humanitarian legacy of helping others in need,†said Stewart Hardacre, President and COO of Habitat for Humanity Canada.

Habitat for Humanity’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster will require support from donors, volunteers, corporate partners and other community organizations. Donations can be made by clicking here.

About Habitat for Humanity’s Disaster Response

Habitat’s Disaster Response focuses on the housing needs that arise from natural disasters and humanitarian emergency conflicts. Habitat offers expertise in technical information; program design and implementation; and disaster response policies, protocols and procedures. We also provide support and informational resources for disaster mitigation and preparedness, helping communities in disaster-prone areas protect themselves against future threats.

[edger]

Just tried donating online to Red Cross but I'm assuming due to overload I lost the server connection and how I'm not sure whether they received my money or not. Guess I'll have to wait and have a looksee at my visa statement

[bouche]

UNICEF seems to have their shit together. their form and site works perfectly smooth.

[Ms.Huxtable]

This is a neat idea from Soft Moc.

Bring in your unwanted shoes to their store by Friday and they'll ship them to Haiti.

If you live downtown Ottawa and don't find a location that's convenient for you, you can drop them off at Minto's Carlisle Building - 221 Lyon Street N (at Gloucester). They'll collect shoes until Friday at noon and bring them to SoftMoc for you.

[Birdy]

If you're a Bell or Rogers cell phone client, you can text the word "Haiti" to 45678 and $5 will be added to your next monthly bill going to the Salvation Army's effort.

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/salvation-army-text-give-haiti-text-haiti-45678-2556660.html

[localcrew]

I'm so lame....I've owned my Blackberry Pearl for years now and I just spent 1/2 an hour trying to figure this out and failed......

[Kanada Kev]

You know what would be really nice? To see all the mobile carriers donate the SMS fees they're getting from each donation to the charities as well.

Same goes for the credit card companies/banks making a mint off of the donations as well.

I'll be submitting a Red Cross and Drs Without Borders donations this weekend. I'll be giving blood on Monday (not that it's going to Haiti, but it's just a good thing to do )

Unbelievable images from only 48hrs after:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/haiti_48_hours_later.html

[Kanada Kev]

Much like the Tsunami disasters from a few years ago, the carnage is very difficult to comprehend. Truly tragic.

Edited January 15, 2010 by Guest

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Probably wouldn't recommend Wyclef's charity.....

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2010/0114102wyclef1.html

[Kanada Kev]

Hey, where's Canada's wonderful water purification team? What was that system called that was always supposed to be on standby ready to go out to things like this? Is it?

[AD]

The DART arrived in Haiti on Thursday. And they do much more than purify water, although that is definitely one of their strengths.

DART, based in Kingston, Ont., includes communications and logistics specialists, an engineering troop that produces purified drinking water, basic construction and utility services, and a medical platoon who run a mobile facility capable of treating up to 250 out-patients and 10 in-patients per day.

[Kanada Kev]

Thanks AD. I'm happy to hear that it is already there. The news coverage tonight (on CBC) was so sad. It truly is a catastrophe of epic proportions.

I hope they can get the relief out fast. The reports make it look like they are already nearing riotous behaviour for food and water. Gangs with machetes walking around as well. They are worried air drops of supplies could start mob riots!

[Jaimoe]

I donated money to Pat Robertson. If you haven't read or heard about his comments regading why the destruction hit Haiti, here's a snippet:

‘Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French, you know, Napoleon III and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, ‘We will serve you if you will get us free from the prince.' True story. And so the devil said, ‘Okay, it's a deal.' And they kicked the French out. The Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed …â€

That's Rev. Pat Robertson explaining how, he believes, the people of Haiti brought a 7.0-magnitude earthquake – and their poverty – on themselves.

[Birdy]

I hope they can get the relief out fast. The reports make it look like they are already nearing riotous behaviour for food and water. Gangs with machetes walking around as well. They are worried air drops of supplies could start mob riots!

A cousin of a friend works for Crossroads International Canada who have a plane going down this coming Tuesday. There's 17 of them, and I guess for every one of them, there's also an armed soldier flying too. Each person gets their own security system to keep them and their supplies safe. Scary!

[meggo]

Two more Canadians dead in Haiti

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Bump...

Google has a fairly comprehensive site set up to assist people in getting information, donating money, etc...

http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/

[StoneMtn]

This is sort of old news, since the kids have made it back into Canada, but the email here is pretty good to see a first-hand account of Haiti, through the eyes of a Canadian who landed there 45 minutes before the disaster:

http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/castlegarnews/breaking_news/81795982.html