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United Way Earthquake Aid for the People of Haiti
On the evening of January 12, 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. It is the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years. The tremor struck 15km (10 miles) south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude. Reports describe the destruction in Haiti as catastrophic with possibly hundreds of thousands dead and as many as 70 percent of the buildings destroyed including many hospitals and the international airport.

United Way Worldwide members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response.
As we continue to evaluate the situation in Haiti, United Way Worldwide will look toward the existing United Way Caribbean Regional Council and members for insight on how to most effectively assist in long-term recovery efforts. We have spoken with Samuel Gonzales, CEO of United Way Puerto Rico, and his team is able to handle corporate in-kind donations. United Way Worldwide will coordinate with him and our other United Way organizations in the region. At this time, we are aware that United Way of Miami is collecting funds and much-needed relief items in partnership with El Nuevo Herald. We continue to learn about other relief efforts by local United Ways and will provide an update later this week. In-kind donations from the general public are referred to Aidmatrix. Donations from Global Corporate Leadership companies, however, are given special consideration and will be personally reviewed by United Way Worldwide's Interim Crisis Director, Linda Daily.


You Can Help by donating to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. Click on the picture of the aftermath of this devastating earthquake on our main page to be taken to the Worldwide Disaster Fund Page. Checks may be mailed to:

United Way Worldwide
P.O. Box 630568
Baltimore, MD 21263-0568

Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges.