As details begin to emerge from Haiti, an already poverty-stricken nation that was devastated by a powerful earthquake on Tuesday, Canadians are seeking ways to help.
Lawrence Cannon, Canada's foreign affairs minister, called on Canadians to do just that, asking them to dig deep and contribute generously to relief efforts.
The most effective way to help, he said Wednesday, is through financial contributions to established aid organizations, as opposed to donations of goods such as clothing or blankets.
He urged Canadians to provide the means for the professionals to do the work that they do best.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has compiled a guide, How Canadians Can Help, with tips to avoid scam artists and ensure donations are sent to reputable groups. It offers a list of more charities.
Following is a list of links to Canadian organizations that have a track record of providing aid to Haiti:
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.
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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.
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- 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.
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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.
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- Direct Relief International
This organization provides specifically requested medical resources to community-based organizations in 59 countries.
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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.
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- 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.
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This Christian organization is asking Canadians with Rogers and Bell cellphones to donate $5 or more by texting the word "haiti" to 45678. Donations can also be mailed or dropped off at local offices.
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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.
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This independent, non-governmental social development organization works to unite families, shape futures and develop communities and has been doing so since 1949.
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This organization's emergency relief programs provide assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease and famine, through provision of food, water and shelter.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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This Christian organization tackles hunger around the world, and has operations in Haiti, where it offers food and education to children.
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- 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.
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