Quake-ravaged Haiti to Receive Local Aid (updated)

At around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Haiti was struck by the worst earthquake in more than two centuries. The magnitude 7 quake hit an area only 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, destroying homes, government buildings, hospitals, schools, and anything else that stood in its way. 

Nearly a day later, thousands of people are feared dead and large parts of the Haitian capital are in ruins, according to several reports. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that an estimated 3 million people have been affected by this tragic event, according to the New York Times.

Several local organizations have already begun to brainstorm ways to send aid to the quake's many victims.

The American Jewish Committee, which has long been dedicated toward global relief efforts, has partnered with IsraelAID - a non-governmental organization - to bring medical assistance to Haiti

"Battered by repeated hurricanes and floods, and a generation of political upheaval, the people of Haiti have again become victims – and they urgently need our help," said AJC Executive Director David Harris.

AJC's initial donation to support IsraAID's efforts in Haiti came from AJC's Harriet and Robert Heilbrunn Humanitarian Fund.

"Our tradition commands us to respond generously and compassionately to those who suffer a natural disaster," Harris said. To contribute to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund visit www.ajc.org/haitifund. One hundred percent of donations will support relief and rescue efforts.

Habitat for Humanity of Westchester is also coming up with different ways to help.

Executive Director James Killoran said that he has met with the Haitian community here in Westchester (he speaks both French and Creole, languages spoken in Haiti). 

"Habitat is galvanizing support and coming up with an ad hoc Haiti relief committee," Killoran said. "We were asked to bring volunteers there and are working with the international office as that settles to find what the best mechanism will be."

What the quake victims are most in need of now is food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support, according to Westchester spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, Abigail Adams. The Red Cross is donating initial $1 million to Haiti from their International Response Fund, she said.

Volunteers are already on the ground; supplies are being released from a warehouse in Panama; and six disaster management specialists are currently being deployed to Haiti. All of these efforts will meet the needs of about five thousand families immediately, Adams said. 

"We storongly believe in mental health support," said Adams. "We have gathered all our mental health experts to reach out to the community to try help." 

To make a donation, go to www.redcross.org, or  call 1-800-Red Cross. You can also text the word "Haiti" from your cell phone to 90999 to make a $10 donation. If you would like to volunteer instead, call 914-946-6500 and ask for the volunteer department. They will need help answering phones, responding to inquiries and getting information out during the crisis. The RC's Westchester Chapter is located at 106 North Broadway in White Plains.

Habitat for Humanity of Westchester's First Annual Martin Luther King Gospel Fest, which will take place on Jan. 16, will also be an opportunity to raise funds to alleviate the devastation in Haiti.

The event will start at 6 p.m. at Bible Way Church on 592 Main St. in New Rochelle.

To make donations through Habitat for Humanity, visit the Web site or click here.

The Westchester office is located at 524 Main St. in New Rochelle, NY. For more information, call 914-403-4821.

If you or someone you know is organizing a plan of action to help quake victims in Haiti, let us know and we will spread the word.