January 24, 2010

What can you do for Haiti

Last March I traveled to Haiti with Healing Hands for Haiti. (If you want to see a few posts from then, click HERE). The devastation from the earthquake has hit close to home because many of those people became my friends. Many of them have lost loved ones, have lost their homes, and have no idea what the future holds. I finally received an email two days ago from one of our interpreters who said,
"thank you for thinking with me i'm still alive but i'm homeless no job see the way you can help me out if you want call me at this number sincerely big mack." Me with Big Mack

The response from the world to this tragedy has been truly moving. A lot of people have been asking me what more they can do to help. Honestly, I don't have the answers. I don't know what the solution is (or that there is one). But I do have some suggestions. Immediately the biggest need is funding for the organizations already down there.
  • You can donate to the LDS church humanitarian relief fund by clicking HERE (100% of donations will go to Haiti)
  • You can donate to the Red Cross by clicking HERE
With a disaster like this, it will take years for recovery. Once the acute problems (surgeries, broken bones, cuts, infections, etc) are treated, long term recovery will become the focus. I worry that the world will begin to forget Haiti in a few months. Many people have lost limbs and will need prosthetics, wheelchairs, crutches, rehab, etc. To read more about this issue click HERE. This is what Healing Hands for Haiti's mission is.
  • You can donate to Healing Hands for Haiti by clicking HERE
  • If you have access to medicines (especially antibiotics), medical supplies, wheelchairs, crutches, etc. please contact me. We have a team leaving on Wednesday and then another one hopefully leaving in march
One of the founders of Healing Hands for Haiti, Dr. Jeff Randle has been keeping a blog while he has been in Haiti treating the earthquake victims. To hear his personal account click HERE