Background

Thousands are feared dead after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake reportedly hit southwest of the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Government buildings, foreign aid headquarters, hotels, and houses have been reduced to rubble throughout the city.

The earthquake was the worst in the region in more than 200 years and has left the country in a shambles, without electricity or phone service, affecting communication and tangling efforts to provide relief to an estimated 3 million people who the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said had been affected by the quake. Many United Nations personnel serving in the country are also unaccounted for, with the UN Headquarters in the Christopher Hotel having collapsed in the tremors, leaving many trapped inside. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) is releasing $10 million immediately for relief efforts.

The Associated Press reported that the Port-au-Prince airport was open, but that the main road connecting it to the capital remained impassable. Other roads had been torn apart in the quake or were blocked by debris, affecting search-and-rescue efforts and making it more difficult to transport food, fresh water, and first-aid supplies.

Haitian president René Préval told The Miami Herald that the toll was “unimaginable.” “Parliament has collapsed,” Mr. Préval was quoted as saying. “The tax office has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed. There are a lot of schools that have a lot of dead people in them. All of the hospitals are packed with people,” he added. “It is a catastrophe." 

Please continue to visit this webpage in the days ahead for more information.

Relief Efforts

View several developing lists of ways that you can help:

• CNN Report: Haiti Faces Devastation: How you can help
  Includes breaking news and resources.
• List from The New York Times
• List from HuffingtonPost
• Charity Navigator: 7.0 Earthquake Hits Haiti
  Lists relief agencies responding to the disaster and points to guides on wise donating during times of crisis.
• GlobalGiving
  Help earthquake victims in Haiti by providing emergency assistance and critical necessities including water, food, shelter, and medical care.
• Foundation Center: Map of International Grants
  This grants mapping tool identifies U.S. Foundations currently supporting Haiti.
• U.S. Department of State: Earthquake in Haiti
  Lists telephone number to call to get help locating family members: 1-888-407-4747. Also lists relief agencies and has posted a donation option via texting.
• NPR News Blog: The Two-Way
  Lists web sites, including that of MercyCorps, a well-known international relief agency. Provides updates and reports as well.
• UNICEF urgently appeals for aid for Haiti
  The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is making an urgent appeal for donations; you will find contact and other information in this press release.
• Global Voices: In aftermath of earthquake, eyewitness tweets from Haiti
  "Global Voices aggregates, curates, and amplifies the global conversation online": Currently posting tweets and photos from Port-au-Prince.

Guidance on donations:

• The Center for International Disaster Information encourages cash donations as the most appropriate way to assist those in need.
• Via www.WhiteHouse.gov - You can also help immediately by donating to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort. Contribute online here, or donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."
• Visit DFW's website on Disaster Grantmaking Pubilcations and Resources

DFW Member Relief Efforts

Donors Forum of Wisconsin has put together several efforts from companies and foundations in Wisconsin that are donating, offering services, or products to Haitians in need. If you wish to be added to this list please contact Samantha Dennis, Director of Communications and Member Relations.

 
GE Foundation
In response to the recent tragedy in Haiti, GE announced a company-wide US$2.5 million commitment to support relief and recovery efforts in the region. To date, grants from the GE Foundation have been made to the American Red Cross for US $1 million and to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for US$500,000. GE's contributions to both organizations will provide immediate support to emergency response efforts and bring needed relief to the millions of impacted Haitians. [link to article]

Harley-Davidson Foundation
Will donate 25 motorcycles to aid relief efforts.

Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls announced the company is contributing $150,000 to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Haiti. The Red Cross is raising money to fund food, water, shelter, medical supplies and other humanitarian relief urgently needed in Haiti."By directing our contribution to the American Red Cross, we will have an immediate impact on the needs of the Haitian people affected by the earthquake. Our support will deliver critical relief services and supplies needed in Haiti," said Steve Roell, chairman, president and CEO of Johnson Controls. [link to article]

J.P. Morgan Chase
$1 million; also matching employee contributions for disaster relief in Haiti for a total of up to $1 million

Kohl’s Department Stores 
Kohl’s Department Stores said it is making a $250,000 cash donation toward earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Menomonee Falls-based Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) said Friday morning the donation is to the American Red Cross, which is delivering emergency supplies and services in the earthquake-impacted areas through its Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. [link to article]

Northwestern Mutual Foundation
The Northwestern Mutual Foundation is announcing a $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help provide Haitians affected by a series of massive earthquakes with essential first aid relief including medical treatment and supplies, shelter, food and water. [link to article]

Oshkosh Corporation
$50,000 to Red Cross and to Doctors Without Borders

Midwest Airlines
With the Midwest Airlines Miracle Miles program, you can donate your miles to nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and its support of Haitian earthquake relief. For a single donation of 5,000 miles or more, we'll match one mile for every three you donate. [link to article]

M & I Bank
All M & I Bank locations accepted donations for the American Red Cross emergency relief and recovery efforts to help those people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Donations assisted in enabling the American Red Cross to deploy personnel, send relief supplies, and provide financial resources. In addition, M&I employees held various fund-raisers including jeans days and bake sales, and participated in other activities that benefited other Haiti relief organizations.

Rockwell Automation 
Rockwell Automation is making an immediate donation of $150,000 to the Red Cross for disaster relief in Haiti. [link to article]

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans 
In response to the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is announcing a $1 million challenge to its members. Thrivent Financial will match $1 for every $2 donated by Thrivent Financial members up to $1 million for the potential of generating $3 million. Funds will be directed to four Lutheran organizations to support their Haiti earthquake relief efforts: Lutheran World Relief, ELCA Disaster Response, LCMS World Relief and Human Care and WELS Committee on Relief. [link to article]

Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), the 10th-largest bank in the Milwaukee area, is contributing $100,000 to the Red Cross disaster relief fund for Haiti, said chairman and CEO John Stumpf in a news release.

Wisconsin Energy Foundation
Through a special matching gift program, the Wisconsin Energy Foundation will match employee contributions to the American Red Cross for Haiti earthquake relief, up to a total of $50,000.