Disaster in Haiti: How You Can Help

Friends in Service,

As we are all too aware, on Tuesday Haiti experienced an earthquake that caused devastation beyond what words and photos can convey. There is tremendous loss of life, catastrophic damage to most buildings affecting a third of the population, and dire need for food, water and medical care. Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti and their families and loved ones.

The United States is mounting an aggressive, comprehensive response to the tragedy, offering civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. The Corporation is coordinating with the State Department, USAID, FEMA, and other agencies as the U.S. government develops a unified response.

We have received many questions from people asking how they can help. According to the State Department, the best way to help the people of Haiti right now is to give money. Your donation can save lives. Click here for more information and for links to humanitarian relief organizations.

At this time, volunteer opportunities are extremely limited to people with specific skills. If you have the expertise needed, you can register your skills and experience for a possible volunteer opportunity at the Center for International Disaster Information's registration page.

We are working with our grantees and partners to identify what national service programs can do domestically to support the humanitarian relief effort. We will communicate with you as we learn more about the needs and the best way for national service to assist in the recovery effort.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” As we prepare to honor Dr. King by serving on his holiday, let’s take those words to heart, and support the people of Haiti in this time of great need.

Nicola Goren
Acting CEO
Corporation for National and Community Service