I’m A Clubwoman

Worse than Katrina?

by karen on 01/14/10 at 6:18 pm

Who would have thought we’d see another disaster in this century worse than Katrina?  True Haiti is not on the soil of the Good Old USA, but it’s so close their refugees sail over here on makeshift boats and frequently drown trying to reach our soil.  There are thousands and thousands of Haitians living here in the states.

The disaster there has moved me to watch the news continuously for days now.  The horror is unspeakable.  I think we are all being moved to try to help in some way.  But which charity will make the best use of our cash?  At this early stage, all the media is begging us to keep our “stuff” and just send money.

I want to ask all of you to send some amount of money, no matter how much, to some charity that will primarily look after the children.  That’s one of the things that makes GFWC unique.  We are always thinking of helping children.

The first news show I listened to asked for contributions to UNICEF.  The lady being interviewed said that the first thing UNICEF does when they help in a disaster is to gather the children and try to reunite them with their parents.  Then they concentrate on the essentials:  water, food, blankets, shelter.  You can contribute by going to http://www.unicefusa.org/

When I posted this information on the GFWC FaceBook page, Janice Adler mentioned that Plan USA is also a partner of GFWC and can use your funds for Haiti.  Here is what I found on the Plan USA site about Haiti:  “Plan Haiti is accounting for staff in the capital and its 10 program units, including three units in the quake zone to the south of the capital. Plan is preparing to deploy staff for assessments and emergency response starting on Wednesday.

Roger Yates, Plan Director of disasters and humanitarian response, said: “Of all the countries in the region, Haiti is the most vulnerable . . . . Our priority is assisting children and their families and getting people at risk into safe accommodation wherever possible.”

Plan will also be working to help ease the psychological trauma caused by the disaster, as well as ensuring that children are protected throughout the recovery effort.

Plan has worked with children, families, and communities in Haiti since 1973. It currently implements child-centered community development programs featuring Health, Education for Girls and Boys, HIV and AIDS, and the Rights of the Child.”

I found this information and a link to donate to Plan USA at: http://www.planusa.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/1188742.

And I just heard on the radio that many phony charities are trying to capitalize on this tragedy.  Please be sure you know where your money is really going.  Both UNICEF and Plan USA take almost no money out of donations to run their organizations.

I urge you to donate SOMETHING today to aid the survivors in Haiti.  These two charities are our partners here at GFWC and would be excellent choices for your generosity!