The death toll in Haiti has reached over 1000 as residents continue to face the devastating after effects of Hurricane Matthew. People across the world are using their voices to offer love, support and comfort while helping to spread the word about the need for help.
In times like these, it’s common to feel a sense of helplessness when you’re not sure just how you can be of assistance, but there’s actually much you can do to lend a hand.
Here are eight ways you can get involved.
1. Donate supplies
Thousands of people in Haiti are in dire need of things like clothes, shoes, baby formula and vitamins. Visit organizations like Hope For Haiti and Friends Of Humanity 4 Haiti to learn more about donating goods.
2. Educate yourself
Doing your own research beyond what’s circulated on social media or mainstream news outlets will give you a more well-rounded idea of what is needed and what you can do to help
3. Organize a drive or fundraiser
Strike out on your own to organize a fundraiser or drive in your community. Organizations like SOIL offer great tips on how to get started.
4. Donate money
The quickest way to help is to donate money that will be used to provide emergency funding for medical assistance, housing aid, food aid and the many other rebuilding efforts that are underway in Haiti. Be sure to do your research to find out exactly where your money is going before you give. Organizations like Konbit Mizik, Doctors Without Borders, Sowaseed, Partners In Health are just a few of the many you can visit for more information.
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5. Volunteer
If you’d rather lend your time, there are also many organizations in place that need people on the ground in Haiti. Organizations like Haiti Communitere, Nova Hope For Haiti, Sakala Haiti and MADRE are great places to find more information about how you can volunteer.
6. Encourage your friends and family to take action with you
From starting movements, to launching petitions, to simply sharing your stories, there are many things you can do with your family members, friends or just others in the community who want to get involved as a group. If you need ideas on where to start, groups like Roots of Development and Border of Lights will lead you in the right direction.
7. Pray
Never underestimate the power of prayer. Prayers for things like peace, comfort, strength and relief for the people of Haiti can go a long way.
8. Spread the word about the latest
The lack of consistent coverage of just how devastating things are for the people of Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew has been a topic of discussion. Keeping people in and outside of your circle updated with the latest news about what’s happening in Haiti can be the first step to ensuring that as many people as possible know just how much their help is needed.