How to help Haiti earthquake victims

The best way to help the three million people in Haiti affected by a destructive earthquake is through monetary donations.

Aid relief organizations are on the ground in the Caribbean nation, which is one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere.

HELP IN TAMPA BAY

Locally, the Florida West Coast Chapter of the Red Cross is mobilizing.  They are accepting donations; visit their website for more details and keep up with their efforts via Twitter and Facebook.

Shoppers at Sweetbay supermarkets can either specify an amount they would like to donate or have the cashier “round-up” their bill to the next dollar and the difference will be donated to the Red Cross.

Publix has also announced that customers may donate any amount by adding it to their grocery totals when checking out at store registers. Collected money will be channeled through the American Red Cross and designated specifically for the Haiti Relief & Development Fund.

HELP NATIONALLY / INTERNATIONALLY

The following organizations have set up donation and update pages on their websites:

• Cidi
• Interaction
• Global Giving
• Panamerican Relief
• Unicefusa or call 800-4UNICEF
• U.S. State Department or text 'HAITI' to '90999' a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill or call (U.S. State Department)
• Mercy Corps
• Red Cross
• Doctors Without Borders
• Yele - text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 on behalf of the Yele Foundation
• Save the Children
• Direct Relief
• Oxfamamerica
• CRS
• Childfund
• World Vision
• Clinton Foundation - text "Haiti" to 20222 to donate $10 to the Clinton Foundation

President Obama has asked Americans to visit WhiteHouse.gov for ongoing information.

Also, visit Charity Navigator, for ratings of the best charities online.