Giving Locally in Haiti

Haiti's recent 7.0 magnitude earthquake has moved people to give. The Red Cross has already raised over $800,000 through a text message campaign, and a groundswell of support waves through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets. As we globally address this latest tragedy, it is important to learn from past natural disaster relief. Large charitable organizations, like the Red Cross, have their place, but giving to local organizations who share a history and connection to the community in need is crucial.

Local Bay Area activists, Victoria Welle and Yas Ahmed, have identified a few local charities that come highly recommended by their grassroots community.

Yas Ahmed recommends Haitian-led organizations Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees (contact: 718/735-4660 or Lambi Fund of Haiti.

Victoria Welle recommends Partners in Health, Haiti Relief Fund, and Yéle Haiti (founded by Wyclef Jean). UPDATE: The Smoking Gun is reporting that Yéle Haiti is coming under scrutiny for their tax records and what appears to be over $400,000 paid to Wyclef Jean and his business partner. Read the article here.

Victoria encourages giving to local non-governmental organizations because, "They can better establish a partnership model of disaster relief, instead of a dependency model in which residents have to rely on outsiders for assistance (and will often have little or no say in what that assistance will be)."

For more information on Haiti relief efforts, check out Victoria's blog (hasta la) Victoria or Mashable's "Haiti Earthquake Relief: 9 Ways to Help Now".

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