Haiti Earthquake Relief Information
The U.S. State Department Operations Center said Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4747. Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. "Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time."

For those interesting in helping immediately, simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill. (More information)

 
WAYS TO AVOID SCAMS:

Finally, the FBI urges people who are looking for ways to help with earthquake relief to be wary of solicitations that could be from scam artists.

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"Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause," the FBI said, in passing along these tips:

Ignore unsolicited e-mails, and do not click on links within those messages.

Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because the files may contain computer viruses. Open attachments only from know senders.

Decline to give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.

Make contributions directly to known organizations, rather than relying on others who claim in e-mails that they will channel the donation to established groups.

The FBI says anyone receipting an e-mail that appears to be a scam should forward it to this website: www.ic3.gov
 
Below is a list of government approved organizations aiding the people of Haiti.
 
Action Against Hunger, 877-777-1420

American Red Cross, 800-733-2767

American Jewish World Service, 212-792-2900

AmeriCares, 800-486-4357

Beyond Borders, 866-424-8403

CARE, 800-521-2273

CarmaFoundation

Catholic Relief Services, 800-736-3467

Childcare Worldwide, 800-553-2328

Direct Relief International, 805-964-4767

Doctors Without Borders, 888-392-0392

Feed My Starving Children, 763-504-2919

Food for the Poor, 800-427-9104

Friends of WFP, 866-929-1694

Haiti Children, 877-424-8454

Haiti Marycare, 203-675-4770

Haitian Health Foundation, 860-886-4357

Hope for Haiti, 239-434-7183

International Medical Corps, 800-481-4462

International Rescue Committee, 877-733-8433

International Relief Teams, 619-284-7979

Lutheran World Relief, 800-597-5972

Medical Teams International, 800-959-4325

Meds and Food for Kids, 314-420-1634

Mennonite Central Committee, 888-563-4676

Mercy Corps, 888-256-1900

Operation Blessing, 800-730-2537

Operation USA, 800-678-7255

Oxfam, 800-776-9326

Partners in Health, 617-432-5298

Rural Haiti Project, 347-405-5552


The Salvation Army, 800-725-2769


Samaritan's Purse, 828-262-1980

Save the Children, 800-728-3843

UNICEF, 800-367-5437

World Concern, 800-755-5022

World Hope International, 888-466-4673

World Relief, 800-535-5433

World Vision, 888-511-6548

Yele Haiti, 212-352-0552

Wyclef Jean's grassroots organization
Text "Yele" to "501 501" to donate $5 via your cellphone
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How to Help Locally:
Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen, President and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts has put together Haitian outreach program with a goal of raising $1 million.100 percent of the contributions received by the Harris Rosen Foundation will go towards this relief effort.
Supply Drive: They are collecting supplies that will be delivered to Haiti by a Task Force in the coming weeks. Below is a list of specific items that will be collected.
o Needed Items: First Aid Kits, Medical Supplies (bandages, gauze, peroxide, etc.), Blankets, Towels, Washcloths, Hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), Antibiotics, Bug Spray.
o No clothes, shoes or food will be accepted at this time.
Drop off Locations:
o Rosen Centre Hotel: 9840 International Drive, Orlando 32819
o First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando: 4701 Lennox Blvd., Orlando 32811
o Chid Development Center of Orlando (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.): 11553 Winter Garden Vineland Rd., Orlando 32836
o Center for Multicultural Wellness & Prevention: 641 N. Rio Grande Ave., Orlando 32805