Haiti Relief 

We are all saddened to witness the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Haiti and the toll it has taken on its people. A tragedy of this magnitude requires people from all over the world to unite and help those affected. There are many great organizations who are providing care to the people of Haiti. At Amerigroup, we help our nation’s most vulernable every day. We encourage you to do what you can to support Haiti in its time of need. Below are a few of our recommendations:

• The U.S. State Department has asked anyone wishing to donate or provide assistance in Haiti to contact the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI). CIDI has established a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support at: www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a.
• Project Medishare is a very well regarded non-profit organization in Florida that has established partners in Haiti and has been providing technical resources for community health development and health care support prior to the earthquake. Their Web site (www.projectmedishare.org) provides updates on the conditions in Haiti and donation needs, including medicine, medical supplies and financial support.
• Matthew 25 House, located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is a house of hospitality established in September, 2005 by The Parish Twinning Program of the Americas (PTPA) and is assisting with the relief effort. You can send a check made out to PTPA (marked on the memo line earthquake relief) and mail it to: Theresa Patterson, Parish Twinning Programs of the Americas, 309 Windemere Woods Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37215.
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is a large organization like the Red Cross and does relief work in the aftermath of natural disasters. CRS is able to liaison directly with the people through the parish structure which exists in Haiti. Catholic Relief Services has established a Haitian earthquake relief fund and is accepting donations at: https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3181&3181.donation=form1.
• Fonkoze (www.fonkoze.org) is Haiti’s Alternative Bank for the Organized Poor. They are an on-the-ground service providing a way for people to receive money through benefactors here in the USA. They are also the largest micro‑finance institution supporting services to the poor in Haiti.   
• The Lambi Fund of Haiti (www.lambifund.org) supports sustainable development projects run by grassroots groups all over Haiti. While immediate relief is needed right now, the long-term needs and development of Haiti are of equal concern. 
• Robert Ford Haitian Foundation, a Charlottesville based foundation, runs an orphanage and school at Grison‑Garde, Haiti. Contributions to support their efforts for Haiti’s youth can be made at their Web site, www.fordhaitianorphanage.org.
• Catholics United (www.catholics-united.org)  is an information and advocacy organization which is petitioning the U.S. government to grant Haitians the immigration protections offered to victims of war or disaster - what is known as Temporary Protected Status (TPS). They have set up an on-line petition. www.catholics-united.org/haiti-petition.
• Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org) is a nondenominational Christian organization providing aid to hurting people around the world. They are accepting donation for the earthquake victims on their web site.
• The Episcopal Relief and Development (http://www.er-d.org/) is an organization already on the ground bringing support and funds to aid this overwhelming relief effort and has a track record of being capable to help quickly and effectively.
• Convoy of Hope (http://www.convoyofhope.org/) feeds millions of people in need around the world through children’s nutrition initiatives, citywide outreaches and disaster response. This organization is currently providing food and medical care to the earthquake victims.