On the evening of January 12, 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. It is the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years. The tremor struck 15km (10 miles) south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude. Reports describe the destruction to affect as much as 70 percent of the buildings, with debris filling the roads making emergency response difficult. The Prime Minister reported on January 13 that hundreds of thousands of lives may have been lost.

You can help people affected by donating to the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund.

Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and the infrastructure devastated by this disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges.

United Way Worldwide members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response. Click here to make a financial donation.

You can also contribute to Haiti’s long-term recovery by texting: text HAITI to 864833 to make a $5 contribution that will appear on your phone bill.