The response to the earthquake in Haiti is one of the largest the world has ever seen. While United Way has provided some immediate aid - distributing water, juice, over-the-counter medicines, first aid products, protein bars, canned foods and cleaning supplies - our most important role is to assist with long-term recovery efforts, helping those affected by disasters to rebuild their lives and communities and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges. Click here for examples and more information on United Way's role in the wake of disasters.

Meeting Immediate Needs
The American Red Cross and The Salvation Army are accepting monetary donations for immediate relief efforts.

• To donate through the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org.
• To donate through The Salvation Army, visit salvationarmy.org.

United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund
United Way Worldwide has created the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund, introduced a text-to-give program, and is coordinating the integration of efforts from United Ways around the world, in cooperation with our corporate partners and other NGOs. Donations to the Fund will go toward long-term recovery and rebuilding in Haiti and Chile, as well as to meet the needs of those affected by the disaster who have relocated. United Way Worldwide has worked with the U.S. government - the White House, Congress, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, USAID - to incent non-taxable donations to Haiti (to ensure policy makers understand the critical donation curve, and that time is of the essence), and to underscore the vital role of U.S. and international NGOs in long-term recovery. 

To donate click here to contribute online.

Here are some examples of efforts by United Ways throughout the world to assist in Haiti (updated 2/26/10). We will post additional items as we hear of efforts in Haiti and Chile:

• United Ways in New York City, Chicago, Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County are working with local partners and their local Haitian community to support the arriving influx of Haitian immigrants.  
• United Ways in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix are providing food, water, and other donated goods and building supplies in cooperation with corporate partners. First responders have been activated and physicians have traveled to Haiti.
• The China Charity Federation (the United Way in China) has been appointed by the Chinese government to receive public donations for Haiti. In Israel, United Way is partnering with the country's leading social organizations to establish a field hospital in Port-au-Prince. United Way Brasil is working with corporate partners to collect financial donations, as well as organizing food and clothing drives. From Guatemala, United Way is providing food and drinking water.
• Through United Way's partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren, an initial grant was made to Project Medishare to transport medical volunteer and supplies, as well as food and water.
• Some other updates on corporate support include:
  • Women's fashion retailer New York & Company is helping raise funds for the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. New York & Company will collect donations in every one of its 580 stores and online at www.nyandcompany.com. The company is asking every customer to add any amount to their purchase and has generously agreed to match 100% of customer donations up to $100,000. United Way is excited to partner with this national brand to help Haiti rebuild in the weeks, months and years ahead.
  • Polo Ralph Lauren continues to make giving fashionable with the sale of their limited edition Haiti Relief Polo shirt to benefit the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. 100% of the proceeds from online and in-store sales of the Polo Shirt, along with a corporate contribution, and an employee and corporate matching program will be donated to the Disaster Fund. United Way is proud to partner with Polo Ralph Lauren to raise funds for the relief efforts in Haiti. Buy your polo today to lend your support!
• For additional updates, please click here.

Other Ways to Help

• United Way 2-1-1, a free community information and referral hotline, can refer you to information about Haiti and Chile and point you toward more opportunities to donate. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org.

• If you represent a large corporation, there are special ways you can help:
  • In-kind donations of products, skills, and services may be made through Aidmatrix, a nonprofit organization that is working with global organizations and local partners in Haiti to coordinate the earthquake response efforts. Click here to donate through Aidmatrix.
  • If you are a global corporate leader, click here for special information on how you can help.

Here are some examples of efforts by United Ways throughout the world:

• United Ways in Florida and the Caribbean region are responding immediately to the disaster in Haiti. Some examples:
  • Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico has partnered with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency and Pentecostal Social Service to distribute water, juice, over-the-counter medicines, first aid products, protein bars, canned food and other necessities sent from Puerto Rico to Haiti. Thus far, four containers have been sent and are being distributed in Port-au-Prince and Croix Des-Bouquets, Haiti.
  • United Way Jamaica met on January 26 with Ronald Jackson, head of Jamaica's Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, and representatives from other aid organizations to determine United Way's long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
  • Fondo Unido de Guatemala is sending 600 water filters to Haiti. The water filters ensure 100 percent removal of parasites and 99.99 percent removal of pathogenic bacteria and provide 10 gallons of safe drinking water within 24 hours.
  •  United Way Brasil is working with local corporations interested in giving and is helping to connect in-kind donors such as Procter & Gamble with Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico.
  •  United Way of Trinidad and Tobago has chartered a boat and is collecting goods that will be channeled through Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico.
  •  United Way of St. Thomas / St. John is organizing a concert for long-term recovery.
  •  United Way of Miami-Dade raised and disbursed $500,000 in critically needed emergency supplies to people in Haiti through Operation Helping Hands.
  •  United Way of Tampa Bay operated an information and donation phone bank at Tampa's Channel 8 (NBC) during a 5-6 p.m. newscast.
  • United Way of Broward County met in late January with a coalition of more than 50 local organizations and government, to formulate a long-term disaster recovery committee that will assist with the rebuilding effort.

• United Way Global Corporate Leaders such as Accenture, Aetna Inc., AT&T, Citigroup Inc., Cummins Inc., Deloitte, Eaton Corporation, GE, HSBC - North America, IBM Corporation, Kellogg Company, Microsoft Corporation, Nationwide Insurance, NBC Universal, New York Life Insurance Company, Procter & Gamble, Pfizer Inc, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Principal Financial Group, Qwest Communications International, Inc., United Airlines and UPS are working with United Way to contribute financial and other resources, while also engaging their employees to assist in disaster response.