“There has not been a humanitarian disaster that has needed more outside help than these people.” — Ann Curry, NBC

I sat transfixed to the television set all afternoon. Flipping between channels watching coverage of the Haiti Earthquake. Wanting to help. Wanting to do something. I read heartbreaking story after heartbreaking story online. Each one tears my heart out. The stories are endless. Their voices not silent.

The people of Haiti need help and they need it now. Yesterday’s devastating earthquake in the capital city of Haiti has demolished a nation. Officials estimate that over 100,000 people may be dead. In Port-au-Prince, all hospitals have collapsed or are abandoned. Orphanages have collapsed. There is no running water, no electricity. Much of the capital has been leveled. The people are running out of clean water and food. The port is destroyed. The airport has no electricity and only one runway. The prison has collapsed and all prisoners are running free.

People have no place to go, they are trying to find a way out. Many of them heading to the airport, with no planes leaving.

Countries have begun responding from all around the world. Airplanes dangerously making their way into the damaged airport. This humanitarian crisis could soon escalate to a refugee crisis. Haiti has no military and only 10,000 police. 80% of the nation lives in poverty. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

There was a woman on the news this evening that runs an orphanage in the mountains just outside of the capital. She reported that the orphanage did not get damaged but they only have enough diesel to run their generator for two days. After that, nothing. The roads to get to the orphanage and through the mountains are impassible, destroyed by the earthquake.

Bill Clinton said that there is no logistical and organizational capacity right now to handle a lot of donated items. There is no way for in kind donations to make their way to Haiti immediately.

An organization that we have partnered with here at Craft Hope is Giving Children Hope. We have projects planned with them in the future, but they need us now. Giving Children Hope is talking with field monitors to find out what is needed most in Haiti. Your gift will help to administer emergency aid relief to communities in need. They are currently taking monetary donations as well as disaster relief materials. Please donate what you can. At this point and time it is near impossible to get items into Haiti. Money is needed most.

Material donations they are accepting are: hygiene products, blankets, pillows, tents, hand sanitizer, bottled water, antibacterial soap, and new clothing. Please only donate new items. You can drop off or mail your donations to:

Giving Children Hope
8332 Commonwealth Ave.
Buena Park, CA 90621

If you’d like to volunteer at their facility in Buena Park, volunteers are needed to sort medical supplies and hygiene products that will be shipped to people affected by the earthquake.

Their needs are going to be long term… years. If you’d like to make something handmade, they are requesting clothes, blankets, and pillows. Please send them to the above address.

Please pray for the people of Haiti, the aid workers in Haiti, the organizations trying to figure out how to mobilize and get resources there, the families affected living abroad, and the leaders of your country who are diligently working with other leaders to find the quickest way to deliver aid. Haiti needs help now.

Update: Click here to see a news segment that ran on Giving Children Hope’s efforts just yesterday.

Please do what you can and spread hope!