SEND US YOUR TAMPONS!!

[ladygreek]

This is where I donated: http://www.americares.org/

http://www.americares.org/newsroom/n...aiti-2010.html

[preciousjeni]

I work for a non-profit in an area with a high population of Haitians. This morning (well yesterday now) I went to a Haitian Task Force town meeting where the task force was trying to work out a plan to get donations to Haiti. Several of the people leading the meeting were in touch with various agencies within Haiti.

To echo what many people are saying here, the agencies and orgs in Haiti that were directly in contact with the folks present at the meeting said do not send supplies. Relief workers literally have to carry things into the more devastated areas.

It's money that is most needed to send people there for clean-up, medical aid and food/water drops. Also, I heard that there are some health organizations that have partnerned with airlines to fly nurses and doctors there for free.

ETA: http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2010...r-facebook.htm So, that last part was probably part of the hoax that local people have bought into. How horrible!

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

ETA: http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2010...r-facebook.htm So, that last part was probably part of the hoax that local people have bought into. How horrible!

Last night's hoax on Twitter about American and JetBlue flying doctors and nurses to Haiti for free was just that -- a hoax," wrote American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith in an email quoted on CNN.Com. "We don't know who is responsible, but it's a very low thing to do."

THIS. some people are just callous. Granted, people should always verify info but still...

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by OTW

I saw an insane amount of tweets last night about UPS shipping supplies for free to Haiti. This probably came after the company pledged $1 Million in aid to the country. This was untrue as well.

I saw the video footage of all the planes lined up at the airport. I can only imagine trying to manage all that while trying to get supplies in as quick as possible.

It's kind of similar to the FBI warning people to "be vigilant" when receiving donation requests . . . like, how on Earth would UPS actually do this? If you just addressed something "TO: Haiti FROM: My loving heart!" would it get there? It's amazing how many people care and how many people truly want to do good and spread the word, but common sense just gets tossed aside . . . it would almost be impossible for a commercial carrier to "donate" flights to nurses, for example, because how the poop would they find enough nurses in one hub to justify the flight? Et cetera . . .

The fact that you can donate via cellphone is amazing, and a true marvel of the modern digital age. The rest? Kind of stunning.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

I work for a non-profit in an area with a high population of Haitians. This morning (well yesterday now) I went to a Haitian Task Force town meeting where the task force was trying to work out a plan to get donations to Haiti. Several of the people leading the meeting were in touch with various agencies within Haiti.

To echo what many people are saying here, the agencies and orgs in Haiti that were directly in contact with the folks present at the meeting said do not send supplies. Relief workers literally have to carry things into the more devastated areas.

It's money that is most needed to send people there for clean-up, medical aid and food/water drops. Also, I heard that there are some health organizations that have partnerned with airlines to fly nurses and doctors there for free.

Hey Jeni, I know what you posted here, but have you heard anything about the relief efforts being in "desperate need of supplies?" I know a girl in NY that claims the Haitian Consulate is telling people they want supplies over money, because they are so desperate.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by epchick

Hey Jeni, I know what you posted here, but have you heard anything about the relief efforts being in "desperate need of supplies?" I know a girl in NY that claims the Haitian Consulate is telling people they want supplies over money, because they are so desperate.

I haven't personally heard that. My understanding is that it's such a mess that even the airport is crowded with planes because there isn't enough fuel to fly them back out.

What I'm hearing from everyone is to donate money to established organizations that have a clear action plan. However, I am aware that some organizations are accepting things like medical supplies.

Of course, there are organizations that ARE taking donations of all kinds, but there's the matter of actually getting the items out of the United States.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

Of course, there are organizations that ARE taking donations of all kinds, but there's the matter of actually getting the items out of the United States.

Ahh I see. Yeah, she's a teacher and her school was supposedly designated by the Haitian Consulate as a drop off site. But when I mentioned that supplies might not be the best thing to send, she went off and said she should know b/c the Haitian Consulate told them that they were in desperate need of supplies.

Just kinda struck me as a contradiction of everything i've heard.