http://www.volunteerinfo.org/

CONTACT:
Sirch Chanthyasack, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
(415) 680-4027 or Sourichanh@lana-usa.org

The Laotian American National Alliance (LANA) would like to express our love and support to the people of Haiti, Haitian American community and the Haitian diaspora suffered from the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years. We are personally and deeply sorry for your loss.

On Tuesday, a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Entire communities have been ripped apart and as many as 3 million people have been directly affected. This is a tragic human disaster that continues to unfold even as relief efforts make their way to the country’s capital. This could possibly be one of the most devastating global natural disasters in recent history, potentially rivaling Southeast Asia’s tsunami in 2004, which killed more than 200,000 people.

Cash is best! To buy exactly what they need. Instantaneous if people give online. The most pressing immediate needs are water, food, and shelter. Where and ways to help:

The White House: President Barack Obama http://www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake
– Clinton Foundation http://www.clintonfoundation.org/haitiearthquake/
– Red Cross http://american.redcross.org/supporthaiti
– Center for International Disaster Information http://www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean/country/haiti/eq/
United Nation organizations:
– World Food Program https://www.wfp.org/donate/haiti
– UNICEF http://www.supportunicef.org/site/pp.asp?c=9fLEJSOALpE&b=1023561
– The World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization https://www.pahef.org/donate/donate.aspx?source=Her
– Central Emergency Response Fund http://ochaonline.un.org/cerf/DonateNow/HowtoDonate/tabid/1819/language/en-US/Default.aspx

Our common humanity demand WE ACT. This is a top priority for the U.S. Federal government.

LANA is asking and encouraging all Americans and people of the world to help in any way they can.

I remember huddling in a door way at my house with my younger brother and my father. We were downstairs about to leave for soccer practice. My Mom was screaming. The house was shaking my father talking to us quietly. It'll be over in a few seconds. Just stay calm.

He was right. It was. My mom was ok, I think there was some disheveled furniture and maybe a few broken collectables. Nothing to major.

We went to soccer practice to find out it was cancelled. We started to learn more and more about the tragedy that had happened. The collapse of a freeway. I was like 14. This was way before I had seen any of those "End of the World Epic Movies". The stories of the tragedy and horror that people experienced just a 15 minute drive from my house seemed totally separate from real life even though it was so close to home.

My Dad was right. It was over in a couple of seconds. For us and our immediate surroundings. But to all the people who experienced loss, I am sure that earthquake in 1989 has resinating aftershocks in their hearts, minds and lives.

I didn't know what to do when I watched the news and heard of people trapped by collapsed freeway. You feel this overwhelming urge to help and this complete helplessness all at the same time.

I am thankful that the social media and the way we communicate in todays world has been able to answer my feelings of helplessness and my urge to help. It is really amazing the closeness and accessibility that media and social networking has given us to the people and tragedy in Haiti.

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Dear UNA-USA Members and Supporters,

Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake on Tuesday is a tragic human disaster that continues to unfold even as relief efforts make their way to the country’s capital. As the death toll mounts, it’s increasingly feared that this could become one of the most devastating global natural disasters in recent history, potentially rivaling Southeast Asia’s tsunami in 2004, which killed more than 200,000 people.

Such a human calamity compels urgent action.

One of the most important actions is to provide for the basic needs of the millions of survivors – food, water, medical supplies, shelter and trauma care. It is our responsibility as people who care to ensure that the humanitarian impact of this disaster does not escalate even higher. By assisting the UN agencies most involved on the ground, we can make a difference.

I know you’ve got a lot of choices – there are many worthy NGOs making appeals simultaneously, but I’d like to urge you to give directly to the pre-eminent UN organizations:

* The World Food Program
* UNICEF
* The World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization
* Central Emergency Response Fund

I’m certain that many of you have already contributed to some of the charities working in Haiti, and I’m proud to learn that several UNA-USA chapters have started campaigns or sent funds by now (e.g. Boston, Santa Clara, East Bay). Some of you may still want to launch chapter campaigns or events, sending your support as soon as possible as well as in the coming weeks.

To keep track of our collective effort, please send an e-mail to our chapter delegate, Herb Behrstock, at Herb@behrstock.com, indicating the amount of your contribution so that we at UNA-USA can inform the UN of our efforts on its behalf.

I’m confident that our globally conscious UNA-USA community will help meet the needs of Haitians and generously respond to this crisis.

Many thanks,

Tom Miller
President and Chief Executive Office

Our team will head out to MedShare.Org to document their heroic efforts… This amazing non-profit will donate tons off medical supplies desperately needed in Haiti.

If you'd like to join us at 10am, email me at toanlam@goinspirego.com

Susie Schwinn

Partners in Health, with an office in Boston, has been working in Haiti for over 30 years. They have hospitals in Haiti, and really understand the depth of issues that Haitians faced on a daily basis before this earthquake. Because of the number of people who believed in their mission from the beginning, they have become the major health service provider in the country. Check out http://www.pih.org. As soon as the earthquake hit, they were already on the ground mobilizing their doctors and nurses to get care to those that really needed it.

Just one option, among many. Happy searching!