How To Help Victims of the Haitian Earthquake

When a full-scale disaster like the devastating Haitian earthquake strikes, ordinary citizens feel moved to help. Emergency managers stress that an effective relief response is coordinated and organized.

Baltimore County's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, along with emergency management organizations nationwide, offers the following guidelines for citizens wishing to contribute to the Haitian relief effort:

• Cash is best.
• Do not deploy to the disaster area with out specific approval from a relief organization. An influx of people trying to help -- no matter how well-intentioned -- complicates relief efforts.
• Know what to collect before you begin collecting goods; for example, clothing generally is not a desired donation. For a detailed explanation of how to help and what to donate, visit InterAction, a coalition of more than 150 humanitarian organizations providing disaster relief, refugee assistance and sustainable development programs worldwide.

Approved Relief Organizations

If you wish to donate cash -- the preferred donation -- do so through an approved responding organization. A list of these organizations is available online through InterAction.

The FBI reminds Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Do not respond to any unsolicited  incoming e-mails (spam) purporting to relate to earthquake relief; do not click on links contained within those messages. Again, use only approved relief organizations when making donations.

Information About Family Members In Haiti

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency's web site includes instructions for those seeking information about family members in Haiti.