HAITI - How Can We Help?

How can we help the Haitians? I've chosen an immediate and long-term strategy in order to address the current and future needs of the people.

IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE: The Haitians are in survival mode. Therefore I am financially supporting an organization specializing in helping stabilize the people's needs right now by providing emergency assistance of food and medical assistance. WhiIe there are many organizations providing these essential services, I chose OXFAM America whose work on the ground I highly admire.
WEB ACCESS TO OXFAM AMERICA: www.oxfamamerica.org/

LONG-TERM ASSISTANCE: I have a background and strong belief in the power of microfinance - with both its short and long term goals focused on helping individuals take care of themselves - rather than receive a handout (which IS also necessary in any disaster like the earthquake in Haiti). Microfinance resources, including business loans, business training, insurance, health and literacy training, are key to helping no- and low- income individuals develop and grow self-sufficient businesses. Fonkoze, a microfinance organization based in Haiti, is the second organization I've chosen to support because of their life-changing work helping impoverished individuals, thus their families, work their way out of poverty. With businesses in ruins, yet those same businesses forming the core of the Haitian population's everyday needs - from providing foodstuffs to clothing, housing materials to pharmaceutical products, supporting Fonkoze will restart these much needed businesses, and help rebuild Haiti from the bottom up.
WEB ACCESS TO FONKOZE: www.fonkoze.org/