In light of the massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the southwest region of Haiti on Saturday, killing roughly 1,300 people and climbing, two local organizations are encouraging people to donate money to relief efforts and medical support.
Beyond the fatalities, there are reports of thousands injured and in need of medical care. Debris has hindered the ability of rescue workers to transport supplies and the wounded.
It "felt like deja vu," said Jonathan Glynn, who after Haiti's 2010 earthquake started Wings Over Haiti, an organization dedicated to giving impoverished children a proper education.
On Facebook on Monday, Wings Over Haiti said that "there are quite a few organizations you can contribute to that are well equipped to deal with these emergencies."
Just three months after the 2010 earthquake, Wings Over Haiti was able to purchase a piece of property and build the Heart School. Now, it has two schools that offer constructive, positive, and academic environments and provide two meals a day and free medical attention to all students.
The Unitarian Universal Congregation of the South Fork in Bridgehampton, known for various charitable efforts and social justice work in immigration, food security, police reform, and health care, is encouraging donations to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, online at uusc.org. The Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson said the congregation's partners on the ground in Haiti will receive the money and use it where it's most needed.
In the face of tragedy, Ms. Johnson said on Tuesday, "We are not alone."
