AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
DCL
Haiti has received an outpouring of generosity since Tuesday's earthquake: donations have helped Doctors Without Borders treat more than 1500 patients, the Red Cross has received more than $8 million through text messages alone, Wyclef Jean has already raised $1 million for his organization Yele, and the donations to these and countless other great organizations are still coming.
But as the news of the earthquake fades and the $5 and $10 text donations come to an end, people who could not afford even small improvements to their homes while they were still standing, or sometimes even food or clean water, will face even greater hurdles caused by the quake. It's important to understand the reasons Haiti was so vulnerable in the first place, and to make sure that while we have Haiti in our hearts, we help them get on the path to real development, so that if another disaster strikes, they will be more prepared—and less vulnerable to damage—when it does.
1. Help build Haiti's economy: while donations are crucial for emergency relief work, they do not lend much to sustainable economic development. Look for fair trade products from Haiti and support local artisans: art made from recycled oil drums, for example, or recycled banana leaves, or other kinds of housewares and crafts. In Haiti, like everywhere else, when you dig a little, you find endless and awe-inspiring sources of innovation. If people are able to grow their market a little, they can sell more and more wares from recycled "junk"—and who knows what else.
2. Microfinance: Fonkoze is Haiti's "Alternative Bank for the Organized Poor." Like microfinance elsewhere, this institution has found one of the most reliable ways to self-sustainably develop local economies.
3. Help reforest Haiti: support various tree-planting efforts in the country. Operation Green Leaves, and Trees for the Future are two places to start.
4. Help the animals of Haiti: they're often overlooked and neglected during emergency situations. Several animal groups are heading to Haiti to help the animals and could use your support in their efforts.
5. Help rebuild a stronger Haiti: had Haiti's architecture been better designed in the first place, thousands of buildings may not have come crashing down so easily. Architecture for Humanity will be there for the long haul to rebuild, MercyCorps often gets involved in reconstruction, and both could use a little love.
6. Help bring renewable energy to places that have had no electricity at all: the Solar Electric Light Fund has teamed up with Partners in Health and has been working to bring solar power to health centers around Haiti. Help them go even farther.
7. Help provide clean water: it was already a scarce resource in Haiti, but improving water sanitation will become an even higher priority because of the damage to infrastructure and water supplies caused by the earthquake. charity:water had just gotten started on a project in Haiti, and will continue to do much-needed work bringing clean water to people who need it. For now, they are encouraging donations to their partners in Haiti, Partners in Health (truly one of the best organizations around) and Concern Worldwide, but keep charity:water on your radar for the long-term.
