It’s been almost two weeks since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake leveled much of Port-Au-Prince and nearby towns in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. The outpouring of support and aid to the afflicted region by companies, individuals, and governments around the world has been enormous. What modern infrastructure there was in Haiti before the quake – and that is still usable now – has been overwhelmed in the ensuing relief efforts. For all the tragedy, rescue workers were still pulling survivors from rumble more than a week after the earthquake and even after the Haitian government had officially called off rescue efforts.

The priority is still on treating survivors and trying to bring some sense of normalcy to the chaos. Many of you have already given supplies or money to the ongoing relief efforts and 2nd Green Revolution has also made a small donation. Here are two ways to help out:

•The American Red Cross is providing immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund or through text messages:

• Customers of participating wireless carriers can text message “HAITI” to 90999 and make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Donations will appear on customers’ monthly bills or be debited from a prepaid account balance.

•Clinton Bush Haiti Fund is being run by former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and was created at the behest of President Obama. They oversee the CBHF through their respective nonprofit organizations, the William J. Clinton Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas.

Once immediate needs are filled, the long hard task of rebuilding must begin. While a major catastrophe like this will take years to recover from, the silver lining, if any, is that Haiti has the chance to start over to create a more functional society. Even small donations can assist Haiti in moving toward a better tomorrow. Here’s to a recovery that puts Haiti on the road to a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable future.

- 2nd Green Revolution

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