Safe, Secure Sites to Donate to Haiti Quake Relief

A lot of relief groups have and will be appealing for donations to help earthquake-rattled Haiti.

The Pan American Development Foundation--an independent, non-profit organization that creates public-private partnerships to assist the least advantaged people in Latin America and the Caribbean--is encouraging people to donate through its special website: www.PanAmericanRelief.org.

"This is a critical time for Haiti and our neighbors need our help," says Amy Coughenour, deputy executive director of PADF. "PADF will be working with civil protection authorities, the private sector and community organizations to provide immediate and long-term assistance."

The natural disaster relief arm of the Organization of American States, PADF ensures donations made through the site are safe and secure.

Several charities set up text-messaging systems to allow people to give micro donations, in which $5 or $10 goes directly to the charity, if people type in certain key words.

To give $10 to the American Red Cross: text Haiti to 90999.

To give $5 to the International Rescue Committee: text Haiti to 25383.

To give $5 to the Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International: text Haiti to 85944.

To give $5 to the Yele Foundation founded by musician Wyclef Jean: text Yele to 501501.