Support the People of Haiti!

As you know, the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti is beyond our comprehension. What can we do from so far away? Thanks to the numerous organizations around the country you can take direct action to help the people of Haiti.

First, Jubilee USA is calling on the Obama administration to take 3 specific steps as part of its comprehensive response to the Haiti earthquake: (1) Provide massive assistance for relief and reconstruction in the form of grants, not loans; (2) Cancel the rest of Haiti's debt; and(3) Provide Temporary Protective Status to Haitians living in the US. Use your voice for Haiti today. Please call the White House today at 202-456-1111 and ask President Obama to take these steps.

Here's a sample script:

"Hi, My name is XXX, and I live in X town, Y state. I am calling to ask that President Obama do everything in his power to help the Haitian people in this time of crisis. As part of its emergency response, President Obama should ensure the US provides massive assistance for relief and reconstruction as grants not loans; advocate for the cancellation of all of Haiti's remaining debts, and provide Temporary Protective Status for Haitians living in the United States. Thank you."

For more information please go to Jubliee USA Network's website here.

Second, if you would like to give financial support to groups already on the ground offering help to victims and their families, below is a list of some of the groups that have a track record of offering great and powerful support:

Church World Service, is a cooperative ministry of 36 denominations that has been working for eradicating poverty and hunger for over 60 years. They have a strong emergency response network in place.

Catholic Relief Services, has a strong history of responding to emergencies, and is already on the ground in Haiti.

Partners in Health. Paul Farmer, founder, has been offering medical care to the poor in Haiti since 1983. The PIH team has sent an urgent request for help.

Oxfam's Latin America emergency response team is headquartered in Haiti, so they are well positioned to respond quickly. And they have a strong track record of supporting local rebuilding rather than funneling money to outside contractors.

Grassroots International has set up an emergency fund to assist their Haitian partners--local organizations that have been working for years for a sustainable future for Haiti.

Action Aid, which is working around the world to end poverty, works in Haiti and is looking for help for both short term response and long-term rebuilding.

Doctors Without Borders, which already had medical teams in Haiti, has begun treating earthquake victims. According to a staff member, most medical facilities in Port-au-Prince are not functioning.

Finally, watch this video from Democracy Now!, which has been reporting tirelessly on the tragedy in Haiti.

Thank you for your action, support and prayers for the people of Haiti.