LITTLE ROCK — Disasters can bring out the best in people, who want to help by donating money, goods or time. Disasters also can bring out scam artists seeking to take advantage of those eager to give.
Some advice from InterAction, a coalition of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations:
Donating cash to established relief organizations may be the best way to help because it allows professionals to get exactly what they need and does not use up scarce resources such as transportation, staff time or warehouse space. (However, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette does not vouch for any organization, its fund disbursement or administrative costs.)
Those who want to donate supplies should contact an established relief organization.
People who want to volunteer should have previous disaster or international experience or technical skills and should work through a relief organization. More information is available from the Center for International Disaster Information, cidi.org.
The FBI warns the kindhearted to beware of scams. More information is available at fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm.
The FBI’s tips include watching for any unsolicited e-mails seeking donations and being wary of individuals claiming to be survivors or officials.The agency says e-mails with pictures of the disaster may have viruses attached. The FBI encourages people to make sure any charity receiving a donation is a legitimate one; donations should go to that charity instead of to an individual who promises to forward the donation.
Organizations accepting donations include several in Arkansas. This list is by no means inclusive.
Haiti Education Foundation Internet address: www.haitifoundation.org Mailing address: 1801 W. Rock St. El Dorado, Ark. 71730
Haiti Christian Development Project Internet address:hcdp.net. Mailing address: 10100 Kanis Road Little Rock, Ark. 72205
United Methodist Committee on Relief. Donations can be given several ways, including to any local United Methodist church.
Internet address: new.gbgmumc.org/umcor/. Mailing address: P.O. Box 9068 New York, N.Y. 10087 Telephone: (800) 554-8583
American Red Cross International Response Fund Internet address: redcross.org. Telephone: (800) 733-2767 Text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10; donation will be added to the next telephone bill.
Dillon International adoption agency has offices in North Little Rock.
Internet address: dillonadopt.com.
InterAction has a list of agencies responding and how to donate to them.
Internet address: interaction. org/crisis-list/earthquakehaitiinteraction.org/crisislist/earthquake-haiti.
Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti charity Internet address: yele.org. Text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund; donation will be added to the next telephone bill.
International Rescue Committee Internet address: theIRC.org. Telephone: (877) 733-8433
Oxfam Internet address: oxfam.org.uk.
For information about loved ones in Haiti: The U.S. State Department’s toll-free number to check on relatives and friends in Haiti is (888) 407-4747. Expect a long wait. The agency’s Web site is travel.state.gov.
The ShelterBox Program, sponsored by Rotary International, responds instantly to natural and manmade disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who are most in need. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. Delivery of ShelterBoxes to Haiti has already begun.
Information for this article was contributed by Lamor Williams of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and by The Associated Press.
Front Section, Pages 5 on 01/14/2010