THE NEW GOVERNMENT

Seeking Information on Family Members in Haiti

The U.S. State Department says Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4747 or or 202-647-5225.

Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. "Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time."

Ways to Send Aid & Help Haiti...

Text Donations To make an automatic $10 donation to the Red Cross, text "HAITI" to 90999; To donate $5 via your cellphone to Wyclef Jean's grassroots organization: text "Yele" to 501501. the money will be charged directly to your cell phone bill.

Charitable organizations that offer aid to Haiti:

• http://www.charitynavigator.org

NYC:

• Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Lakou New York, and MUDHA (Movement of DominicanHaitian Women) are organizing immediate delivery of first aid relief. Please Donate: FINANCIAL SUPPORT, FIRST AID SUPPLIES, PERSONAL HYGIENE GOODS, DRY FOODS (NO CANNED FOODS PLEASE), TEA LIGHT CANDLES AND AA & D BATTERIES.CALL (718) 735-4660 FOR MORE INFO. • NYC: I AM HAYITI Haiti solidarity fundraiser Fri. Jan. 22, 6:30pm @ Caribbean Cultural Center/African Diaspora Institute, 408 West 58th St., New York, NY 10019, (212) 307-7420. Feat. Kalunga Neg Mawon, Tiga Jean Baptiste and T'Chaka, and DJ Laylo on the 1s and 2s. • Dwa Famn: portal that provides information on the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund, which has been involved in grassroots organizing efforts in Haiti since 2004

NATIONAL:

• Partners in Health: Wanted: Surgeons, nurses, and other medical personnel to help in Haiti (especially folks who speak Kreyol or French) - email volunteer@pih.org

• American Red Cross: Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization.

• Dwa Famn: portal that provides information on the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund, which has been involved in grassroots organizing efforts in Haiti since 2004

• HAITI ACTION: A Hatian Women's Rights Organization in Brooklyn

• Habitat for Humanity: A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.

• Hope for Haiti: Hope for Haiti has held the vision from the very beginning that the people of Haiti are the ones who take control of their future and we are here to lend a needed hand along the difficult path.

• UNICEF: UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.

• Yele Haiti: Yéle Haiti is a Wyclef Jean's grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment.