A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people and injuring thousands more, according to CNN. The Haitian government has declared a state of emergency as hospitals are filled to capacity and displaced people struggle to find accommodation.

And now, meteorologists are warning that Tropical Storm Grace will hit the island nation this week, potentially disrupting recovery efforts and exacerbating damages.

Occurring west of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince and just 60 miles from the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that occurred in 2010 — which killed between 220,000 and 300,000 people and displaced thousands — Saturday’s earthquake sent shockwaves through a community reeling from political instability and rebuilding efforts.

After the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July, widespread civil unrest took over the country. Haitians protested government corruption and the country’s weak economic situation, leading to an influx of violence and food and fuel shortages.

And despite the allocation of billions of dollars to support the country in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, missteps from international groups and public institutions have prevented Haiti from fully recovering. 

For this reason, humanitarians and Haitians alike are asking the international community to be intentional and cautious about how they support the country in the wake of Saturday’s earthquake.

"I offer my sympathies to the relatives of the victims of this violent earthquake which caused several losses of human lives and property in several geographical departments of the country," Prime Minister Ariel Henry wrote on Twitter as part of a series of tweets about the situation. “We need a lot of support to help the population, especially the wounded.”

While Henry has not yet called on the international community for support, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Global Citizens around the world can help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti by donating to organizations doing work on-the-ground, as well as by sharing factual information on social media from reputable sources.

1. Haiti Communitere

Haiti Communitere is a community resource center that supports local groups in Haiti by providing funds, resources, and space. Since the 2010 earthquake, the Port-au-Prince-based organization has supported earthquake recovery efforts for communities in Haiti and is currently assessing the damage from Saturday’s earthquake to best coordinate local efforts.

Donate to Haiti Communitere here.

2. Haitian Emergency Response Operations (HERO) Foundation

Several groups in Haiti, including Haiti Communitere, have suggested donating to the HERO Foundation to provide tourniquets and medical training to police officers in Haiti. As search-and-rescue efforts continue in the country, providing medical supplies, individual first aid kits (IFAK), and medical training are essential to help as many people recover from the earthquake as possible.

Donate to the HERO Foundation here.

3. Haiti Emergency Relief Fund (HERF)

The Haiti Emergency Relief Fund (HERF) renewed calls to support its emergency relief fund, which began as a way to assist Haitians affected by the 2010 earthquake. As a local organization, HERF distributes donations to organizations based in Haiti that are coordinating grassroots efforts to help those in need.

Donate to HERF here.

4. Hope for Haiti

The Florida-based organization Hope for Haiti is committed to on-the-ground efforts in Les Cayes, one of the cities most affected by Saturday’s earthquake. These efforts include distributing emergency kits, opening an infirmary for those in need, and partnering with medical teams to identify which areas of the country can most benefit from additional health care assistance.

Donate to Hope for Haiti here.

5. Ayiti Community Trust

Ayiti Community Trust was founded to help develop short-term aid into long-term support, supporting several local initiatives in Haiti to address poverty, education, and environmental concerns. In the wake of the latest earthquake in Haiti, the group launched the Earthquake Relief Fund to support local Haitian-led organizations.

Donate to Ayiti Community Trust here.

6. Project St. Anne (PSA)

Project St. Anne (PSA) began as a way to support educational opportunities for vulnerable children in Haiti, but has expanded its efforts to support relief efforts. Because of its local coordination, PSA has ties to community organizations that are serving as on-the-ground support systems for those impacted by natural disasters.

To support its efforts to help vulnerable people after Saturday’s earthquake, PSA asks that people donate to its Zelle account, the information for which can be found on the organization’s website.

Learn more about how to support PSA’s efforts here.

7. Team Rubicon

Team Rubicon is an international organization that coordinates on-the-ground efforts to address the world’s most devastating crises, from floods and earthquakes to the COVID-19 pandemic. By mobilizing veterans to work with first responders and medical professionals, their team is at the forefront of helping communities recover.

While responding to the earthquake in Haiti, Team Rubicon’s veteran-led volunteer network is working with local authorities and hospitals to provide medical support and resources. By donating to their Ready Reserve Fund, you can support their efforts to coordinate a large-scale response in Haiti, putting local communities at the center of their response.

Donate to Team Rubicon here.

You can join the Global Citizen Live campaign to defeat poverty and defend the planet by taking action here, and become part of a movement powered by citizens around the world who are taking action together with governments, corporations, and philanthropists to make change.

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7 Ways You Can Help Haiti Right Now — Wherever You Are in the World

By Jaxx Artz