Haiti Earthquake - How Your Kids Can Help and Learn

Many Hands by the Editor On January 12, 2010 a massive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale devastated the island-country of Haiti, which is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. With an estimated fatality count of up to 200,000 and millions more injured and homeless, kids are wondering what they can do to help.

Natural disasters can leave children of all ages scared and confused. It is important for parents and caregivers to help children make sense of what is happening. Reassuring kids that they are secure, and talking about the event is helpful.

One way to address kids' concerns is to do something positive to help the victims of the tragedy.

The Centre For International Disaster Information says that cash is widely recognized as the most effective and efficient means of providing relief to Haiti's earthquake victims. The best way to help people in Haiti is by donating money.

Kids can feel that they are doing something, however small, by donating some of their pocket money or savings to one of the many charities doing work in Haiti. Kids can also earn money by doing extra jobs or collect it by holding fund-raisers.

Following further down the page are some of the Australian aid agencies and charities that are rushing to help provide relief to the thousands of people affected by the Haiti quake.

Many kids may be unfamiliar with the tiny Caribbean country of Haiti, and may want to learn more. These websites provide information on the country's geography and history. Here are some useful links:

Kids Around the World

Care USA - Haiti

Fact Monster - Haiti

Your kids may also be wondering about how earthquakes happen. The following links assist kids to understand faultlines and geological processes, with interesting facts, information sheets, activities and colouring pages.

USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program For Kids

Weather Wiz Kids

FEMA Kids

PBS-Savage Earth

Australian Aid Agencies Accepting Donations

Oxfam: Oxfam teams are already on the ground, with our emergency team assessing the extent of the damage. Additional specialist staff, equipment and resources are being immediately dispatched to Haiti to begin the critical work of saving lives. Oxfam specialises in providing essential access to clean water, shelter and sanitation, before the long rebuilding process.

Save the Children: Save the Children has launched an emergency appeal to help the children and families in earthquake devastated Haiti.

Unicef: UNICEF has set up a fund to help children affected by the earthquake and is rushing life-saving emergency supplies and experts to Haiti.

Plan: CHILDREN'S organisation Plan International has released $US100,000 of emergency funds to help deal with the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. The international PLAN, which has worked in the country since 1973, is working closely with government, emergency services and other organisations to respond to the immediate needs of children in the region and to assess the situation.Plan has numerous programs in Haiti in Health, Education, Nutrition and Household Economic Security.

Médecins Sans Frontières: The surgical units, which Médecins Sans Frontières set up in Port au Prince, continue to work around the clock to treat the vast numbers of patients with injuries from the earthquake.

Australian Red Cross: The global Red Cross response continues in Haiti, where a devastating earthquake and aftershocks hit on 12 January 2010. Local and international Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing relief in the most needed areas where the priority needs are water, food, medicine and shelter.

World Vision: World Vision has been distributing relief supplies in Haiti including medical supplies, blankets, tents and other essential items. The items have been stored in warehouses in Haiti in preparation for the hurricane season. Aid distributions began Wednesday, the day after the quake, and have continued since.

Aus AID: The Australian government response. Australia will provide an initial $10 million in emergency humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance in response to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti.

While there are many charities helping with the relief efforts, it is important to be careful when donating money. Some tips by 'Charity Navigator':

Avoid Newly-Formed Charities and Give To An Established Charity That Has Worked In Haiti
Designate your donation to the ctisis fund you wish to help
Be Careful Of Email Solicitations
Be wary of Telemarketers
Seek Out The Charity’s Authorized Website

Haiti Earthquake - How Your Kids Can Help and Learn

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