How you can help the people in Haiti

AUSTIN (KXAN) - If you know of other ways to help, please email us here .

The Salvation Army and American Red Cross are mobilizing resouces and personnel to assist with the international relief effort in Haiti following the severe earthquake Tuesday that damaged much of the country's infrastructure, housing and commercial buildings.

The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory is ready to provide assistance in support of relief and recovery efforts undertaken by The Salvation Army in Haiti. Also involved in the effort is the National American Red Cross, which had people on the ground when the devastating earthquake happened.

The Salvation Army is accepting monetary donations online to assist in the effort. People can also call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or send mail to:

• The Salvation Army World Service Office
• International Disaster Relief Fund
• PO Box 630728
• Baltimore, MD 21263-0728

The Salvation Army has been working in Haiti since 1950 and currently operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities.

The Central Texas Red Cross is also accepting donations online to the Disaster Relief Fund.

While people can designate money to Haiti specifically, officials are encouraging people to give to the general fund. Officials said they do not know the shape the Haiti supplies are in and are therefore having to draw from other supplies, such as those from Panama.

"We're working on a cash basis right now, frankly," said Marty McKellips, Central Texas Red Cross marketing officer.

Marty said donating supplies might not be helpful because it might not be what the Haitians actually need.

"Because we really need to direct funds directly to what's specifically needed," said McKellips. "If they're interested in become a Red Cross volunteer, they can train for future disasters."

The American Red Cross immediately donated $200,000 to begin the relief effort Wednesday morning but quickly increased that amount to $10 million by Thursday. Meanwhile, immediate-needs supplies in Panama - such as clean water, nonperishable fooda and emergency medication - are going straight to Haiti.

Other ways to help: (Check back for constant updates)

• Austin agency Thirst No More
• Text "HAITI" to 90999, and a $10 donation will automatically go to the Red Cross, which you'll see on your next phone bill.
• A list of organizations that are taking donations for those in Haiti can be found here .
• An Houston-based Indian-American pop artist, who went double platinum in India, is giving 100 percent of his iTunes sales from his hit single with platinum selling rapper, Lil Flip, to the Pan American Development Foundation.
• If you want to give more than the cost of "Swagger," you can donate here or call 877-572-4484. You can also visit the Pan American Development Foundation .

 Additionally, please beware of cyber-scammers who prey on people's emotions during times such as these. Be cautious of bogus Web site and phony e-mails devised to steal what should have been charitable donations.

Officials with the online security company Symantec said they are already seeing online scams crop up around the Haitian earthquake including spam e-mails soliciting donations and "poison search results" which can infect computers with malware. Malware is designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's informed consent.

Click here for more information on cyber-scammers.

Tips for donating online

• Avoid clicking on suspicious links in e-mail or instant messages, as these may be links to spoofed Web sites.
• We suggest typing Web addresses, such as those from a charitable organization, directly in to the browser rather than relying upon links within your messages.
• Never fill out forms in messages that ask for personal or financial information or passwords. A reputable charitable organization is unlikely to ask for your personal details via e-mail.
• When in doubt, contact the organization in question via an independent, trusted mechanism, such as a verified telephone number or a known Internet address that you type into a new browser window.
• Do not click or cut-and-paste from a link in the message.
   

First-hand accounts of those on the ground

Salvation Army and Red Cross workers were on the ground when the Tuesday earthquake hit.

Salvation Army Director of Disaster Services Robert Poff shared his story.

"Words cannot begin to describe the devastation that has taken place in Port au Prince, Haiti," wrote Poff Wednesday morning. "When the earthquake struck, I was driving down the mountain from Petionville. Our truck was being tossed to and fro like a toy, and when it stopped, I looked out the windows to see buildings 'pancaking' down, like I have never witnessed before."

Poff continued to write that traffic came to a standstill while thousands of people poured out into the streets, crying and "carrying bloody bodies, looking for anyone who could help them."

Poff: "We piled as many bodies into the back of our truck, and took them down the hill with us, hoping to find medical attention."

It took Poff two hours to drive less than 1 mile.

"And suffering humanity was front and center."

Red Cross officials said they also had people on the ground when the disaster hit.

"We have an immediate response going on," said Marty McKellips, Central Texas Red Cross marketing officer. "People are on the ground assessing needs."

Officials are also sending a national disaster response expert to Port-au-Prince who will help lead the national response. In the meantime, the Red Cross chapter in the nation's capital has been destroyed.

"We do have concerns about our own people," said McKellips. "We will send staff and volunteers as we assess and see exactly what we can do to assist."

 As tremors linger after the earthquake, it is a reminder that the people in Haiti and the world are not yet finished with the calamity. Poff said the people cry out and that the children are terrified.

"The scene will be repeated over and over again," said Poff. "Tomorrow, we will begin the process of assessing damage, learning about casualties, and preparing for the future."