In the wake of the tragic and deadly, 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, people are banding together in order to help those in need who have survived, who are grieving the loss of their loved ones and who are trying to imagine their lives before the earthquake and wondering how they are going to pull through after. When any tragedy strikes, people are always coming forward and asking ‘How can I help?’ and while there are a great deal of generous, kind and giving people in the world, there are also people who prey on the generosity of others. There have already been several confirmed cases of scams and hoaxes that have lured people who want to help the people in Haiti into giving money to what they thought were charities, only to have their money stolen.

We are all devastated over the tragedy that has occurred in Haiti and it is important for us not to feel helpless during this time of great need. I have done much research on the legitimate charities that are out there and who are truly committed to helping the people of Haiti. If you are asking yourself, ‘How can I help?’ please look below for the number of different things you can do that will truly make a difference in the lives of the people of Haiti.

• Doctors Without Borders
  Doctors Without Borders have been working in Haiti for 19 years, most recently operating three emergency hospitals in Port-au-Prince. They have been successful in mobilizing a large emergency response to the disaster in Haiti and their immediate response in the first hours following the deadly earthquake was only possible because of the private unrestricted donations from around the world that have been dedicated to making the relief efforts of Doctors Without Borders possible. Doctors Without Borders will use your donations to ensure that their medical teams can react to the Haiti emergency and humanitarian crises all over the world, particularly in neglected crises that remain outside the media spotlight. Your donation to Doctors Without Borders is ensured to be earmarked from their Emergency Relief Fund.
  Donate to Doctors Without Borders

• UNICEF
  UNICEF believes that children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster and they are committed to being there to provide aid to those children. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is absorbing all associated administrative costs so that 100% of every dollar you donate to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will support their relief efforts for children in Haiti.
  Donate to UNICEF

• Mercy Corps
  Mercy Corps always distinguishes themselves as one of the first responders when an earthquake hits. They were on the ground in Peru in 2007, in China in 2008, in Indonesia in 2009 and they landed in Haiti as one of the first on the ground ready to help. As stated on their donation page, the next $250,000 in donations made to Mercy Corps for their Haiti Earthquake Fund will be matched by a generous donor.
  Donate to Mercy Corps

• American Red Cross
  From your mobile phone, regardless of your carrier or plan, text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross (U.S. State Department) or text YELE to 501501 to donate $5 to Yele Haiti, the foundation started by Wyclef Jean. Your donations to the American Red Cross will go immediately to the first responders on the ground in Haiti and will be sorely needed.

• Oxfam America
  Oxfam America has over three decades of experience in Haiti and they have rushed in teams from around the region to respond to their tragic earthquake where their assistance in most needed. Oxfam is providing clean water, shelter and sanitation to the people of Haiti. Your donations to Oxfam America will go immediately to the most critical needs in Haiti and is ensured that every penny will be used wisely.
  Donate to Oxfam America

As you sit down and watch the news every night over the past three nights, you have most likely heard of the amount of money that certain celebrities, businesses, organizations and also our government has donated to the relief efforts in Haiti; do not let this discourage you from donating what you can, as much or as little as you can afford to part with, because when such tremendous tragedy strikes, it takes the world to lean in and help when and where they are able.