Articles
Muslim-American Activism, Pages 53-54
U.S. Muslim Charities Aid Haitian Quake Victims
Muslim-American charities quickly responded to the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti which killed possibly more than 200,000 people in the Western hemisphere’s poorest country. Impassable roads, a crowded airport, and damaged docks slowed the progress of aid and volunteers trying their best to save the living. Hospitals in Port-au-Prince had collapsed, and the few facilities still open couldn’t handle the needs of the injured. A massive coordination effort involving dozens of aid groups, including Muslim Americans, the Haitian government, the United Nations and the U.S. military, was under way to get food, water, tents and other supplies to survivors of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake.
Within hours of the catastrophe, Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, VA, launched a $1 million aid effort. Its first flight containing relief aid included supplies sent in coordination with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those wishing to donate to Islamic Relief USA’s “Haiti Emergency” appeal may visit <www.IslamicReliefUSA.org> or call 1-888-479-4968. Checks payable to “Islamic Relief USA” may be mailed to: Islamic Relief USA, P.O. Box 5640, Buena Park, CA 90622.
Zakat Foundation, based in Bridgeview, IL, had been working in Haiti for some time. Executive director Halil Demir flew food packages, medical kits and water into the Dominican Republic and then trucked it into Port-au-Prince since Haiti’s airport was clogged with cargo. To donate visit <www.zakat.org> or call 1-888-925-2887. Checks payable to “Zakat” may be mailed to: P.O. Box 639, Worth, IL 60482.
Helping Hand For Relief and Development is also raising funds for Haiti, and Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) is directing its supporters to donate to Helping Hand. To make a contribution visit <www.helpinghandonline.org> or call 1-888-808-4357. Checks payable to “Helping Hand USA” may be sent to 12541 McDougal St., Detroit, MI 48212.
American Muslims for Emergency and Relief, AMER, based in south Florida, is collecting food, clothes, medicine and funds. Visit <www.amerelief.com> or call 1-305-898-9314. Send a check to: AMER, Attention: Haitian Earthquake Relief, 183 NE 166 Street, Miami, FL 33162.
In October 2009, Muslim charities responded to two Pacific Rim earthquakes by coordinating a massive aid shipment to Samoa and deploying emergency teams in Indonesia. They have also responded to other major disasters, such as the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, the Pakistan earthquake in 2005, and delivered aid to more than 60,000 people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas following Hurricane Katrina.
—Delinda C. Hanley
