New Ways You Can Volunteer in Haiti

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on January 13, 2010, and was updated on April 13, 2010, to include volunteer opportunities.

Photo: Reuters

DONATIONS

Dozens of governments, relief agencies, and charitable organizations are mobilizing to help in the rescue and recovery operations in Haiti. The editors at TakePart have assembled this list of non-governmental organizations that are working to stabilize the earthquake zone. TakePart will update this list as more ways to help are publicized. As an aside, the editors at TakePart make no claims as to the fund allocations or administrative practices of the organizations listed below, and we encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with an organization to consult Charity Navigator or GuideStar before donating.

At this crucial moment in the rescue and recovery efforts in Haiti, donations are the best way to support those in need. The reporters at GlobalPost have penned a reminder as to why cash—and not material donations—is the best way to help during a crisis. 

Haitian Education and Leadership Program: To make a donation in support of HELP's relief efforts, visit their webpage at www.haitianeducation.org, or click here.

Center for International Disaster Information: The State Department is encouraging those with private offers of assistance to contact CIDI, which coordinates with the United States Agency for International Development. Learn more here. 

Partners in Health: PIH and its Haitian partner organization Zanmi Lasante have worked hand-in-hand for more than two decades in Haiti, and is one of the largest non-governmental health care providers in the country. Its hospitals are among the few that remain functional in Haiti. Donate here. 

Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund: Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have teamed up at the request of President Obama to raise money for earthquake relief in Haiti. Donate here. 

Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is deploying an emergency response team to the island nation. Donate here, build your own Mercy Corps fundraising page or add a Mercy Corps Haiti banner to your Web site.

Clinton Foundation: Helping to provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. Donate here. Text “HAITI” to "20222" and $10 will be given to the Clinton Foundation's Haiti Relief Fund, charged to your cell phone bill.

MADRE: MADRE is bringing emergency medical assistance and supplies, including bandages, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and water tablets to prevent cholera outbreaks, to areas in Haiti that have been hardest hit by the earthquake. Donate here.

Red Cross: Donate to the international response fund here. You can also call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or text "HAITI" to "90999" to donate $10. 

UNICEF: Children are among the most vulnerable following any natural disaster, and the United Nations mission to Haiti was destroyed in the earthquake. Donate here. 

Water.org: They work to provide sustainable sources of clean, safe water to under-served populations, and will be helping facilitate the repair and construction of new sources of water in Haiti. Donate here. 

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres: The organization is airlifting emergency medical providers into Haiti to treat victims of the earthquake. Donate here. 

CARE: They are deploying emergency teams to Haiti. Donate here. 

Oxfam America: They are rushing folks into Haiti from nearby areas; the organization has years of experience on the island. Donate here. 

Save the Children: The organization is working to support families and children in need. Donate here. 

International Medical Corps: This L.A. non-profit provides medical care in some of the world's most dangerous regions. They're on their way to Haiti. Donate here.  

AmeriCares: They are sending emergency medical aid and mobile health supplies to Haiti. Donate here.  

World Food Programme: WFP is already on the ground and has "launched its emergency procedures, which involve distributing high energy biscuits and other emergency food assistance to those affected." Donate here. 

World Vision: The organization is sending relief supplies to be distributed in Haiti. Donate here. 

TreeHugger has a thorough list of how you can give green, focusing on some longer-term organizations. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Global Volunteer Network: This is a great opportunity if you aren't a medical professional and you are looking to volunteer. The GVN is coordinating volunteers at an orphanage and two displacement camps to run education classes until September. There will also be opportunities to partake in rebuilding efforts and counseling. You can stay in Haiti anywhere from two weeks to three months. Apply here.

REACH (Reconstruction Efforts Aiding Children Without Homes): Join a "voluntour" to help build eco-friendly, sustainable homes for children and families in Haiti. Sign up here.

Healing Hands for Haiti: If you are a medical professional looking for ways to help Haiti, Healing Hands for Haiti has issued an appeal for volunteer applications. Don't possess any medical training? No problem. They are looking for support volunteers too, like students and translators. Apply here.

Partners in Health: If you are a medical professional looking to get involved, Partner's in Health has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years and is one of the largest non-governmental healthcare providers in the country. Register here.

International Medical Corps: The IMC is delivering critical healthcare services on the ground in Haiti while also implementing rebuilding and development programs to help with long-term recovery. Volunteer opportunities are available for both medical and non-medical professionals in Haiti and domestically. Apply here.

Anir Experience: The Anir Experiece coordinates volunteer opportunities in Africa and the Caribbean and is planning a volunteer trip to Haiti from July 3 to 17, 2010. Requires a two-day training preparation before embarking for relief work abroad. Apply here.

Ministries of Aides International, Inc: MAII works primarily with underserved children and families in developing countries. They are organizing primarily medical volunteers to make trips to Haiti, but are also looking for people to help with delivering supplies. A few more trips are still on the docket. Apply here.

Habitat for Humanity: While Habitat for Humanity currently doesn't have any volunteer opportunities in Haiti, they will in the future. Fill out their Haiti Volunteer Interest survey to get notifications of opportunities as they arise. Take the survey here.

USAID: Many nonprofits are too overwhelmed with on-the-ground work to absorb or manage volunteers for Haiti. So the U.S. Agency for International Development is serving as a hub collecting volunteer applicants for when the nonprofits are ready for extra hands. Sign up here.

Center for International Disaster Information: Like USAID, the CIDI is collecting volunteer offers and coordinating with NGOs on the ground in Haiti to help accommodate volunteer needs when they arise. Register here.

Quick Study: Disaster Relief

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