United Way’s response to Haiti and Chile
Text CHILE or HAITI to 864833 to give $10 to help the rebuilding efforts.
United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on education, income and health. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action—to give, advocate and volunteer—to improve the conditions in which they live.
Earthquake Hits Chile
February 27 2010
Early this morning, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile nearly 200 miles south of its capital, Santiago, with aftershocks of 6.9 and 5.6 magnitudes each. The earthquake that devastated Haiti measured a magnitude 7.0. Chilean television is broadcasting footage of collapsed buildings and roads, and early reports indicate as many as 80 people have died.
The quake is said to be among the largest ever recorded and has spawned tsunami warnings for Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica, as well as other countries along the Pacific coast as far away as Hawaii, Australia and Japan.
United Way Worldwide is in contact with its network in Chile and is assessing the damage to determine its response.
United Way Worldwide’s Response to Haiti
The United Way system worldwide and its corporate partners are working with Haitian community networks to determine the most pressing long-term recovery needs.
United Way’s role is to support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and communities devastated by the disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges.
United Way Worldwide has created the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund, introduced a text-to-give program, and is coordinating the integration of efforts from United Ways around the world, in cooperation with our corporate partners and other NGOs. Donations to the Fund will go toward long-term recovery and rebuilding in Haiti, as well as to meet the needs of Haitians affected by the disaster who have relocated to the U.S.A. and throughout the Caribbean. United Way Worldwide has worked with the U.S. government – the White House, Congress, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, USAID – to incent non-taxable donations to Haiti (to ensure policy makers understand the critical donation curve, and that time is of the essence), and to underscore the vital role of U.S. and international NGOs in Haiti’s long-term recovery.
Click here for examples and more information on United Way’s role in the wake of disasters.
Click here to read the latest update on United Way’s Response to Haiti.
United Way Worldwide is the leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 45 countries and territories. It advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all, by focusing on education, income and health. The United Way movement mobilizes millions to action—to give, advocate and volunteer—to improve the conditions in which they live.
