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about haiti

• The country of Haiti makes up the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. Hispanola is located between Cuba and Puerto Rico and the eastern two thirds of the island is the Dominican Republic.

• The capital of Haiti is Port-au-Prince.
 
• Haiti is one of poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. 80% of residents live in poverty.
 
• Haiti is one of the most densely populated and least developed countries in the western hemisphere.
 
• Population: 9,035,536
 
• Language: French (official)
 
• Leaders: Jean-Max Bellerive -- prime minister
 
• Rene Preval - president
 
• Most of Haiti is mountainous, and the country's name comes from an Indian word that means high ground.
 
Sources: CNN.com; World Book Online

• The country of Haiti makes up the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. Hispanola is located between Cuba and Puerto Rico and the eastern two thirds of the island is the Dominican Republic.

• The capital of Haiti is Port-au-Prince.
 
• Haiti is one of poorest countries in the Western hemisphere. 80% of residents live in poverty.
 
• Haiti is one of the most densely populated and least developed countries in the western hemisphere.
 
• Population: 9,035,536
 
• Language: French (official)
 
• Leaders: Jean-Max Bellerive -- prime minister
 
• Rene Preval - president
 
• Most of Haiti is mountainous, and the country's name comes from an Indian word that means high ground.
 
Sources: CNN.com; World Book Online
Haiti Earthquake Relief: how to Help

A spokesperson for the Red Cross says the earthquake in Haiti makes hurricane Katrina look like child’s play.  The impact is beyond devastating with the figure of the death toll as given by Aramick Louis, secretary of state for public safety exceeding more than 140,000. 40,000 people have been buried and it's believed that there may be 100,000 more people who left this world due to the earthquake. If you'd like to help; whether it be through making a donation, opening your home or through some other form of selfless service, 96.1 WSOX has provided you with some ways to get started below.

donate on the web

 You have a lot of options on the web; here’s our list of trusted organizations. All of them will accept credit card donations through online forms. Hover your mouse over organization name to follow link to donate.

 

The American Jewish World Service has set up the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund to respond to the crisis by supporting a network of organizations it works with.
 
AmeriCares has pledged $5 million to Haitian quake relief, and is soliciting donations to a general emergency disaster relief fund to help it accomplish that.
 
CARE is sending relief workers into the city of Port-au-Prince and needs funds to support its efforts. Suggested donations range from $50 to $1,000, but you can name your own amount if you prefer.
 
Catholic Relief Services has an office in Haiti, and luckily it’s still standing even though one of its neighbors collapsed. The organization is accepting donations of any amount.
 
Direct Relief International has committed up to $1 million in aid through two on-the-ground partners, and is sending containers of medical material aid.
 
Oxfam has 200 people on the ground to deal with the crisis, and began its efforts by trying to get clean water to victims of the quake. One of its staffers recorded a podcast describing the situation. You can donate on the American or UK site, depending on where you’re located.
 
Yele Haiti is sponsored by prominent Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean. You can donate through its website or via text message as described below.

 You have a lot of options on the web; here’s our list of trusted organizations. All of them will accept credit card donations through online forms. Hover your mouse over organization name to follow link to donate.

 

The American Jewish World Service has set up the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund to respond to the crisis by supporting a network of organizations it works with.
 
AmeriCares has pledged $5 million to Haitian quake relief, and is soliciting donations to a general emergency disaster relief fund to help it accomplish that.
 
CARE is sending relief workers into the city of Port-au-Prince and needs funds to support its efforts. Suggested donations range from $50 to $1,000, but you can name your own amount if you prefer.
 
Catholic Relief Services has an office in Haiti, and luckily it’s still standing even though one of its neighbors collapsed. The organization is accepting donations of any amount.
 
Direct Relief International has committed up to $1 million in aid through two on-the-ground partners, and is sending containers of medical material aid.
 
Oxfam has 200 people on the ground to deal with the crisis, and began its efforts by trying to get clean water to victims of the quake. One of its staffers recorded a podcast describing the situation. You can donate on the American or UK site, depending on where you’re located.
 
Yele Haiti is sponsored by prominent Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean. You can donate through its website or via text message as described below.
donate with a text message

 

Musician Wyclef Jean has used Twitter to rally web users to contribute to his grassroots Yele Haiti earthquake fund. He’s urged his followers to text “Yele” to the number 501501. If you send the text, the organization will receive $5. The amount will be added to your next cell phone bill. Consider retweeting Wyclef’s updates and get some of your Twitter followers to donate, too.

There’s another texting option spreading through Twitter. You can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 via the Red Cross.

 

 

 

Thanks to ABC News for pointing these out.

 

Musician Wyclef Jean has used Twitter to rally web users to contribute to his grassroots Yele Haiti earthquake fund. He’s urged his followers to text “Yele” to the number 501501. If you send the text, the organization will receive $5. The amount will be added to your next cell phone bill. Consider retweeting Wyclef’s updates and get some of your Twitter followers to donate, too.

There’s another texting option spreading through Twitter. You can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 via the Red Cross.

 

 

 

Thanks to ABC News for pointing these out.

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