Social Networking is playing a crucial role in generating donations for victims of the earthquake in Haiti

The tragedy is Haiti is one of the biggest tragedies to hit the Northern Hemisphere since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. There is allot of conflicting info, but one thing is clear the best thing your can do to help is to give money. CNN has reported that many of the ports in Haiti have been damaged badly and it may be days before goods that are donated can be unloaded from ships. The American/Obama response has been good in light of the damage to the infrastructure that is clogging the skies with airplanes that cannot land and ships that cannot dock. Money is the only thing getting in a day after the disaster. Western Union has pledged that is will allow free money transfers for a week after the phone lines are back up so take advantage if you can help in this way.

View this video of the crumbling city of Port-au-Prince and it's casualties by CURRENT (I did not embed this due to graphic images) see the extent of the devastation and why many are angry about the insensitive, racist statements made by Pat Robertson of the 700 Club.

Port-au-Prince Haiti (CNN) -- Rescue workers struggled to clear rubble and bodies Wednesday from the streets of Haiti's "flattened" capital, where a government official said the death toll from Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake may exceed 100,000.

Thousands of injured people waited for care outside badly damaged hospitals, while an unknown number remained trapped inside collapsed buildings. Basic services like water and electricity were out, and Haitian President Rene Preval said his government needs help clearing streets so rescuers can reach some of the hardest-hit areas.

"We need medicine. We need medical help in general," Preval told CNN. "Some of the hospitals, they collapsed."

People were digging though the rubble of leveled buildings with their hands Wednesday, looking for survivors or bodies, CNN's Anderson Cooper reported from Port-au-Prince. Other CNN correspondents in Port-au-Prince and its suburbs reported whole blocks of collapsed buildings, with dozens of bodies piled in the streets.
Read more and watch, CNN videos

Twitter is playing a crucial role in generating donations for victims of the earthquake. CNN reported, fundraising efforts by the American Red Cross and rapper Wyclef Jean were two of the top 10 trending topics on Twitter early Wednesday. Both organizations asked Twitter users to text a number to make a donation that would be added to their cell phone bills. This remains the easiest way to help the people in Haiti. It was was shared with me via Facebook by a Urban Thinking member Danielle who has personally asked for your prayers and support for her missing family members.

Use the number below to text message your donation to the Red Cross and $10 will be added to your cell phone bill:
end a $10 Donation by Texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999 You can also make a donation by calling 1-800-REDCROSS


Yele an organization founded by famed Haitian-American GRAMMY Award winning rapper/musician Wyclef Jean (formerly of The Fugees) is also taking donations via Text message. Visit www.yele.org for more information. Text “501501” then type “Yele” to make a $5 donation ASAP.

Follow Yele on Twitter or Facebook.

With every good story about social networking is a bad one. Twitter was alight with rumors of free flights for doctors and nurses to go to Haiti. Watch out for these and check the Red Cross and the CNN site for ways to help if you want to go to Haiti.

For more general CNN info on how to help Haiti:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/

Beware of Scams!
Before you donate protect your self by asking for this basic information:
-phone number of the organization
-address
-registration number of the organization

My friend Kevin Powell send me the link to this great info via Facebook:

ASSISTANCE FOR HAITIANS IN AMERICA
Contact the Haitian Embassy at 202.332.4090 or the nearest Haitian Consulate office in your area to locate your loved ones.

ASSISTANCE FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD
How to trace family members in Haiti:
Call 888.407.4747 Department of State (US)

ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT WITH MONEY AND RESOURCES

Haiti Support Project
Founded by Dr. Ron Daniels (President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century) this relief fund will collect your cash donations and send it to grassroots organization.

Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Lakou New York, and MUDHA Movement of Dominican Haitian Women are organizing an immediate delivery of first aid relief. MUDHA is traveling to the Dominican/Haitian border, looking at how to reach affected areas. See first aid list of needs below and bring items to:

* HAITIAN WOMEN FOR HAITIAN REFUGEES
335 Maple Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY (this is not a mailing address)
718.735.4660

EVENING DROP-OFF HOURS ARE MON. & WED. 6:30-8:30 P.M.
DAYTIME DROP-OFF HOURS ARE MON. - FRI. 11:00-4:00 P.M.

Please use rear entrance on Lincoln Road between Nostrand and New York Avenue. Enter through St. Francis Church parking lot. To make a financial tax-deductible donation to Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Lakou New York, and MUDHA Movement of Dominican Haitian Women, so that they may take supplies to Haiti, please mail donations to:
IFCO/Haiti Relief
418 West 145th Street
New York NY 10031

You may also make a credit card donation designated for Haiti Relief at www.pastorsforpeace.org or by calling IFCO at 212.926.5757.

The Global Syndicate’s Haiti Project
Give any financial support you can by donating to http://www.theglobalsyndicate.org/get_involved.html. All proceeds will be used to support relief efforts of Project Medishare and Yele (two of our partner organizations that have robust structures that offer direct support).

V. S.H.A.D. (Soin Humanité Amour Dévouement)
“S.H.A.D.” translated into English means Care Humanity Love Devotement. It is a non-profit organization (with 501c3 status) that is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, while providing education, medical, emotional, and social support services unavailable to low-income Haitian women from 14-45 years old. Their work includes servicing pregnant women and those who live under poverty level who are affected and infected by the HIV/AIDS virus. All monetary donations are being collected via PayPal at donation: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-click&hosted_butto...

Resources and final links excerpted from Kevin Powell and April R. ...