The Arcade Fire has some advice for you about how to help with the crisis in Haiti (vocalist-violinist Regine Chassagne’s family emigrated to Canada from there). It parallels what I’ve heard from other people with Haitian aide experience, so it’s probably the best plan:
Friends,
Haiti needs your help in her darkest hour.
We just got off the phone with our friends at Partners in Health.
Most of the medical infrastructure in Port-au-Prince is down. Since Partners in Health’s clinics are in situated the surrounding areas and haven’t been damaged, they are mobilizing their resources towards the capital, setting-up field hospitals to treat the injured on the ground. Also, Paul Farmer (the founder of PIH) is at the UN and has access to the best information on where to direct the money… so for the moment if you want to help, we suggest sending funds here.
Canadian residents with Roger cell phones can text HELP to 1291. $5 will be directed to Partners In Health’s Haiti emergency fund.
Please be generous as time is of the essence.
love,
Win and Regine
Why do I always feel compelled to spell aid this way when it has this meaning? Obviously wrong and pretentious. Ugh.
paul the octopus is surely the most effective oracle