A Message from BPL Executive Director Dionne Mack-Harvin
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), like millions of people around the world, has been deeply impacted by the devastation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti caused by the 7.0 earthquake that struck the country's capital on January 12, 2010.
To provide support to Brooklyn's Haitian communities and concerned Brooklynites, we have compiled a resource guide of links to sites providing information on how to find missing loved ones, retrieve up-to-date news about the earthquake crisis, connect with local Haitian organizations, donate toward emergency relief efforts and become involved in the humanitarian call-to-action as a volunteer.
BPL does not endorse any organization provided in the resource guide. Our recommendations are for informational use only. We will periodically update this listing.
U.S. State Department www.state.gov
1.888.407.4747
Retrieve information about U.S. citizens living in or traveling to Haiti by calling toll-free number.
New York State Registry of New York Citizens in Haiti https://haiti.nyalert.gov/
1.888.769.7243
Register the names of New York citizens missing in Haiti on state website or search hotline. Information collected not used or shared for any purpose unrelated to locating and identifying family and friends in Haiti. Hotline Hours: 9am to 9 pm weekdays, 9am to 5pm weekends and holidays.
American Red Cross www.redcross.org
1.800.REDCROSS (733.2767)
Search for and register the names of loved ones unaccounted for since the earthquake. In addition, donate toward relief efforts online or via mobile device (text "HAITI" to "90999"; $10 automatically charged to cell phone bill) and track giving by state.
CNN iReport http://haiticrisis.cnn.com/
Search by last name for loved ones still missing in areas impacted by the earthquake in Haiti.
T-Mobile http://forums.t-mobile.com/t5/T-Mobile-General/T-Mobile-s-Efforts-to-Assist-With-Disaster-in-Haiti/td-p/299078
877.453.1304 (Customer Care)
877.296.1018 (TTY)
611 (Customer Care from T-Mobile device)
To help unite families, T-Mobile USA is allowing current T-Mobile customers to make phone calls to Haiti free of charge. The offer is retroactive from January 12, 2010 through January 31, 2010. Roaming fees are also waived for customers while in Haiti.
New York Times http://submit.nytimes.com/haiti-missing
Upload photos of missing loved ones to receive assistance in search efforts. If no photo is available, post description of loved one on newspaper's The Lede blog.
NYC.gov Information Hotline
311
Switchboard operators will provide information on making monetary gifts and volunteering service toward relief efforts. Also access 311 online at http://www.nyc.gov/apps/311/homepage.htm.
Relief Web www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc100?OpenForm
Online gateway to information on humanitarian emergencies and disasters. Administered by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Radio Soleil D'Haiti www.radiosoleil.com/radiosoleil.htm
New York's 24-hour Haitian radio station. Brooklyn-based. Listen to live radio stream online.
Haitian Times www.haitiantimes.com
Only full-color weekly newspaper distributed in U.S. Haitian communities and in Haiti. Brooklyn-based.
Google Crisis Response http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/
Suggested organizations to donate toward relief efforts, plus links to news and updates, and contact information for hospitals in Port-au-Prince.
CNN http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/
Comprehensive list of organizations providing emergency relief, including food, shelter, medical aid, and acceptance of international currencies.
Yéle Haiti www.yele.org/
Twitter: twitter.com/YELEHAITI
Founded by musician and humanitarian Wyclef Jean, a grassroots organization dedicated to transforming and building global awareness about Haiti. Donations accepted for Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund online and via mobile device (text "YELE" to "501501"; $5 automatically donated and charged to cell phone bill). Site modifying to provide real-time information about Haiti and earthquake crisis.
InterAction: A United Voice for Global Change www.interaction.org
202.552.6524/202.667.8227
Contribute to the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti through the largest coalition of U.S.-based and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to aiding the most vulnerable citizens across the globe. In addition, access regularly updated list of NGOs supporting relief efforts, plus guidelines on the most effective ways to support earthquake aid.
Haiti Support Project http://www.ibw21.org/
Grassroots initiative dedicated to impacting U.S. policy towards Haiti and mobilizing humanitarian and developmental assistance. Contribute toward Haiti Relief Fund.
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
718.735.4660 www.pastorsforpeace.org
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees organizing Lakou New York, and MUDHA Movement of Dominican Haitian Women are organizing an immediate delivery of first aid relief. Visit website to review list of needed supplies and hours and locations for drop-off. Online monetary donations also accepted.
Partners in Health www.pih.org
617.432.5256
Non-profit providing urgent medical care, with previous long-established projects in Haiti. Currently, seeking surgeons, nurses and other medical personnel in addition to monetary donations.
Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org
1.888.392.0392
An international medical humanitarian organization providing urgent medical care to earthquake victims. Long-established projects in Haiti.
Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City www.nyc.gov/html/fund/html/home/home.shtml
212.788.7794 or 311
Donate online, or by phone. The Mayor's Fund will direct contributions to reputable organizations. Contributions also accepted by mail at Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, One Centre St., 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10007; write "Haiti Earthquake Relief" in memo.
Diaspora Community Services http://www.diasporacs.org/
Contributions to DCS, formerly the Haitian Women's Program, will be donated to DCS' Centre Medico Social Nord Alexis in Port-au-Prince.
The Batey Relief Assistance http://www.bateyrelief.org/
A non-profit, non-political, humanitarian aid entity uniting grassroots groups, faith-based organizations, government agencies, and the international community in a strategic partnership to support children and families severely affected by poverty, disease, and hunger in the United States and the Caribbean.
Fonkoze www.fonkoze.org
The largest micro-finance institution offering a full range of financial services to the rural-based poor in Haiti. In addition to donating toward relief efforts, learn about Fonkoze financial partners who are either waiving or lowering fees to send money to loved ones in Haiti.
MADRE http://www.madre.org/
212.627.0444
An international women's human rights organization that works in partnership with community-based women's organizations worldwide to address issues of health and reproductive rights, economic development, education and other human rights.
United Cerebral Palsy Wheels for Humanity http://www.ucpwfh.org/
Help provide wheelchairs to earthquake victims with existing and newly acquired disabilities. Wheelchairs distributed through partner organizations such as Direct Relief International, Operation USA and Partners in Health. Portlight Strategies is also supporting efforts to supply wheelchairs and medical supplies for the disabled in Haiti.
Guidelines for Appropriate International Disaster Donations
www.cidi.org/guidelines/guide_ln.htm
Guide available in English, Spanish, French, Kreyol, Arabic, Greek, Farsi and Indonesian.
Guidestar www.guidestar.org
Search database of nonprofit organizations and information on their programs, leadership, goals, mission, accomplishments and needs.
Charity Navigator www.charitynavigator.org
Conduct quick search of charitable organizations (scan alphabetical directory or interactive world map of highly-rated groups); view historical and operational data; and access tips and resources on how to make intelligent donations, including "Donor's Bill of Rights" and giving calculator.
Global Giving http://www.globalgiving.org/
Connects donors to thoroughly reviewed community-based projects that need support.
Better Business Bureau: Charities and Donors Resources www.give.org http://www.bbb.org/us/charity/
Retrieve valuable information on making informed decisions when supporting charities.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services www.uscis.gov
800.870.3676 (Obtain Application)
800.375.5283 (Customer Service)
800.767.1833 (TTY)
Download applications to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS); review frequently asked questions about the TPS application process; learn how to apply for application fee waivers. Forms and information available in English, French and Kreyol (Haitian Creole).
MediSys Health Network-Community Mental Health Services http://medisyshealth.org/griffCounceling.html
Free group and individual counseling offered to Brooklyn and Queens residents affected by the earthquake devastation in Haiti.
Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/
703.276.1914
Apply to offer technical assistance. International experience and technical skills in medicine, communications, logistics, water/sanitation and engineering highly sought.
AFYA Foundation http://www.afyafoundation.org/
914.338.7034
Volunteer to sort clothes and supplies for immediate shipment to Haiti. Donations, monetary and goods, also accepted.
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