Helping Haiti, Wisely
Women’s College Fund for Women’s Health in Haiti
The Women’s College Hospital community has been deeply touched by the plight of those caught up in the disaster in Haiti, and many are wondering how best to help.
“The simplest and best way to help is to donate money directly to credible organizations providing aid in Haiti,” says Joanne Cole, President and CEO of the Women’s College Hospital Foundation. “Until February 12, the Government of Canada will match the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations. This is an opportunity to double the impact of your contribution.”
For staff members or volunteers who wish to make a donation through Women’s College Hospital Foundation, the Foundation will receive funds and issue charitable receipts for gifts of $5 or more. “We will be sending 100% of the funds raised to Médecins Sans Frontières for their relief efforts in Haiti,” says Cole. “Before the earthquake MSF was operating an emergency obstetrical program in Port-Au-Prince. Now they’re focusing on life-saving surgeries and emergency caesarean sections.”
In addition, the Foundation staff has developed a list of organizations with links to their secure websites. If you don’t want to donate online, you can mail a cheque to the charity of your choice, or make a donation by phone.
Cole says donors should always be aware of the potential for donation scams related to international disasters. Check out How Canadians Can Help at www.international.gc.ca to ensure that any charity you choose to support is registered.
“We’re delighted to receive support from the Women’s College Hospital community,” says Marilyn McHarg, General Director for MSF Canada. “The funds from WCH will be used in Haiti by MSF for relief and rebuilding, which will include women’s health programs along with other services to meet the medical needs of the most vulnerable.
Médecins Sans Frontières plans to be in Haiti for the foreseeable future to provide emergency aid during the crisis and to help rebuild the medical infrastructure. MSF lost one hospital in the earthquake, and two of its others were severely damaged.
Organizations providing aid to Haiti:
Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders
This international organization focuses on emergency medical relief in areas where there is no medical infrastructure or where the existing one cannot withstand the pressure to which it is subjected. Click here to donate
Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian arm of the international aid and medical relief organization works around the world through the federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Click here to donate
Unicef Canada
This well-known organization's is to raise funds to support UNICEF's work for children in more than 150 countries and territories and build awareness among Canadians about the issues facing the world's children. Click here to donate
The Humanitarian Coalition
This group is a joint effort between Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Quebec, CARE Canada and Save the Children. The humanitarian coalition is dedicated to a united response in cases of humanitarian crises. Click here to donate
Plan Canada
Plan works to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty based around eight core areas: education, health, water and sanitation, protection, economic security, child participation, sexual health including HIV. Click here to donate
Direct Relief International
This organization provides specifically requested medical resources to community-based organizations in 59 countries. Click here to donate
United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto
This Jewish group is seeking donations and has already sent $45,000 to IsraAid: The Forum for International Humanitarian Aid, to support search and rescue efforts in Haiti. The group is sending a team that includes medical staff, to Haiti. Click here to donate
Salvation Army
This Christian organization is asking Canadians with Rogers and Bell cell phones to donate $5 or more by texting the word "Haiti" to 45678. Donations can also be mailed or dropped off at local offices. Click here to donate
World Vision Canada
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization that works with children, families and communities around the world to deal with poverty and injustice. Click here to donate
SOS Children's Villages
This independent, non-governmental social development organization works to unite families, shape futures and develop communities and has been doing so since 1949. Click here to donate
Samaritan's Purse
This organization's emergency relief programs provide assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease and famine, through provision of food, water and shelter. Click here to donate
The Mennonite Central Committee
MCC's work in Haiti over the past years has focused on reforestation and environmental education, human rights and advocacy for food security. MCC is responding to the Haiti earthquake with emergency assistance and long term reconstruction and trauma support. Click here to donate
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Canadian branch of worldwide team of specialists, meeting the transportation and communications needs of overseas missions and relief and development organizations. They have a Canadian pilot in Haiti now. Click here to donate
Centre d'etude et de cooperation internationale (CISC)
CISC is a private, not-for-profit corporation that fights poverty around the world, and has operations based in Haiti. The group's head quarters are based in Montreal. Click here to donate
FTC Canada
This Christian organization tackles hunger around the world, and has operations in Haiti, where it offers food and education to children. Click here to donate
United Nations World Food Programme
While not a Canadian organization, the UN WFP is a major international agency devoted to fighting hunger around the world, and is voluntarily funded. It's currently mobilizing all available resources to Haiti. Click here to donate
Cellphone Donations
Canadians can also donate to Haiti using their cellphones:
If you text the message "Haiti" to 45678, you will contribute $5 to the Salvation Army's relief effort.
Rogers and Fido customers can also donate by sending the text message "HELP" to 1291. Rogers said 100 per cent of the donations will be provided to Haitian relief organizations.
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