I am so thankful for the compassion and generosity of others when a disaster strikes. I often receive comments and messages asking how people can help. Hurricane Matthew's devastation of Haiti has been no exception. 

Let me try to write out a concise explanation that covers the basics for those of you interested in helping out. And this is not just limited to Haiti. It applies to disaster relief anywhere in the world. 

Here are two common messages I receive:

I would like to make a financial contribution. What organizations do you recommend? 

When possible, support local organizations that were on the ground before the disaster and have long-term efforts already established. They have the best understanding of the needs and how to respond most effectively. They also have long-term development in mind and aren't only looking at short-term relief.

Here's one great example of an initiative taking place in Haiti right now to provide relief where it's needed most. 

HURRICANE MATTHEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN: This is a collaborative effort of several grassroots organization in the Gressier and Leogane areas to make a well-measured response. We are combining our efforts and resources to make both long-term and short-term positive impacts in some of the worst hit areas in Haiti. We are performing a needs analysis based on current needs and supplies already being sent by other relief groups. Our relief efforts will focus solely on the gap between what is needed and what is already being provided. We prioritize buying locally to support Haiti. If you feel called to help with this relief effort, you can contribute finanicially through the following link: www.amoveogroup.org/hurricane-matthew-response.  


What I love about this is that it is a combined effort of several organizations working together for maximum impact. Not only are they working together within themselves, but they are making it a priority to find out what other efforts are taking place so that relief is not duplicated and more people in need can be reached. I know these people personally and that they are doing everything they can to do things well. They are putting into practice important lessons that they learned after the 2010 earthquake. So again, if you would like to give to a reputable effort to help where it's needed most, click here to make a donation. 

I am also heading up a smaller scale fundraising campaign for Hope For Life Children's Home and a few families I know in the Leogane area. If you would like to support either of those causes click here. It will automatically go towards the children's home, or if you'd like to support one of the families I mentioned on Facebook yesterday, write "families" in the "add a note" section. I can assure you that 100% of your donation will go towards those needs. 

I would like to travel to Haiti to help with disaster relief. Do you know any organizations needing volunteers? 

I commend your desire to want to go and serve. If you don't already have personal contacts on the ground, it's generally not easy to quickly jump on board with relief efforts. From time to time I may hear of an organization needing volunteers with specific skill sets. I try to post those needs when I learn of them. But my general answer is this... If you find your heart pounding to get involved on the ground when a disaster happens, you should look into becoming a registered volunteer with organizations that deploy volunteers. This is something you can do ahead of time and possibly get your name on a list to serve with future disaster relief efforts. If you are in the medical profession I recommend Heart To Heart International, www.hearttoheart.org/volunteer. Samaritan's Purse also has opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. Occasionally they have an international DART position opportunity listed on their employment page where you can apply to get trained as a DART member. Otherwise check out their volunteer page where they'll have a list of current volunteer needs, www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/volunteer. These won't always be immediate opportunities after a disaster (unless it's in the U.S.), but if you have an interest in relief and development work in general, that's a great place to start.

I just want to say thank you to all of you who have been praying for Haiti. I have personally been encouraged knowing that so many people have been lifting up a nation so dear to my heart. And my friends in Haiti have told me how much they appreciate your prayers and concern. Please continue to pray for them as they face a long recovery. I was devastated to hear that one of my friends lost his home, as just six years ago he lost his mother, father, and two sisters in the earthquake. This disaster is reopening wounds from that terrible time, and for many people it has only piled more debris on top of the huge mountain they've already been climbing since 2010. 

But there is hope and together we can make a difference. I'm reminded again of the Haitian proverb "Men anpil, chay pa lou." Many hands make light work. Let's continue to work together to help build back a stronger Haiti!