My colleagues at Ushahidi have already swung into action and are mapping crisis information from Haiti. (Disclaimer: I'm on the board). For those you who arenot familiar with Ushahidi, they have a platform that allows anyone to gather distributed data via SMS, email or web and visualize it on a map or timeline. Their goal is to create the simplest way of aggregating information from the public for use in crisis response.
They also have a list of charitable organizations/ngos doing work in Haiti that need donations - like Partners in Health. If you want donate, make sure you keep your scam filter active ... You can also text to give to the American Red Cross: Text HAITI to 90999 donate $10 to the Red Cross for Haiti efforts. You can donate $10 up to three times, and 100% of the donations will reach the Red Cross Foundation. This effort is run by Mobile Accord. $3 million has already been donated.
MobileActive has an aggregated list of places to donate or find additional information.
Awesome Beth.
I knew you'd post a tool we could use. I checked yesterday for the same and of course found your reflections on your bday post which was a vital read too.
I'm staying close to the news but balancing it with praying for Little Haiti (Miami) and Haiti...so many people I know in Miami have family on the island and we've made connections..some are gonna head over. Miami is doing much to support their island neighbor. In a way, tragic as the earthquake is, I'm so grateful the world is waking up to its caribbean neighbors' needs. I'd love to see the cruiseship industry seize the opportunity to provide temp housing offshore w/ their ships...and I'm hoping there's some kind of plan to help folks w/ temporary relo...esp for the children. Overall I'm soo trusting that the innate wisdom of each of us that rises to the occasion in crises is in full on within all down there. And trusting too we're not hearing all the news..that there are people being found...I'm writing on my blog how I'm praying, thinking, etc. Thanks always for all you do to keep us informed on the practicals. Hugs.
Posted by: tresha thorsen | January 15, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Beth, Do you know why the Red Cross is limiting the times you can text $10 to three times? I would imagine there are people who would like to give more that way. Why limit it? Is it a technology issue or something else?
Posted by: Nell Edgington | January 15, 2010 at 11:54 AM
We ran into this problem when we did a text campaign. It's really frustrating for the user, too, especially when you consider that you have to text, wait, then reply to a confirmation text. Doing that three times is a pain. A lot more user-friendly IMO to find a time to go online.
Posted by: twitter.com/jeffwiedner | January 15, 2010 at 04:42 PM
You can text to donate two or three times depending on your carrier. AT&T and T-Mobile subscribers can donate three times. If you wish to donate more than $20 or $30, please visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
As I understand it, this is the way all agreements are set up through mGive. I cannot confirm that, but believe it to be true.
Posted by: Wendy Harman | January 15, 2010 at 05:25 PM
Hey Guys!
The Mobile Giving foundation has an agreement with the major cellphone carriers that allows ofr UP TO $30 per month in mobile donations (in $5 or $10 increments) additionally an organization can only text 4 follow up messages to a mobile donor.
There are currently programs that allow for monthly mobile giving but they are brand new and the details are not out yet.
Posted by: Renee Hamilton | January 16, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Hi Beth: I wanted to share a link to the fundraising community established on ammado at http://www.ammado.com/haitiappeal that benefits five international aid agencies on the ground in Haiti (one is the American Red Cross). An important distinction is that donors can give in over 30 international currencies and their preferred payment method. P.S. You don't have to be an ammado member to use this donation channel.
No matter what donation method you use, the opportunity to donate on MLK Day is a meaningful way to recognize our neighbors in need.
Barbara Kelly, bkelly@ammado.com
Posted by: Barbara Kelly | January 17, 2010 at 09:21 AM