Millions Pour in from Around the World to Support Haiti

And please, keep the dough rollin in! Every bit helps. Some of you might have been scarred from the Katrina financial fiasco. According to Anderson Cooper, who followed the Katrina money trail, a large portion of funds donated from charities and foreign countries to aid New Orleans stayed in the pocket of the federal government. Ok, we know. But we've also learned a few things since then. Let's continue to support Haiti and trust that we'll be a bit smarter this time.

Just about every non-profit organization and news source out there offers you a way to pitch in and help. And if you are still confused and could use a dose of guidance, check out our Tonic advice on how to contribute though Charity Navigator.

If even that sounds treacherous, a quicker way you can donate is to text “Haiti” to 90999 on your cellphone and $10 will be added to your next phone bill to suport the American Red Cross's work. Or you can text “Yele” to 501501 and a donation of $5 will be given automatically to Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti foundation to help with relief efforts. I just did it!

So far, $38.83 million has poured in from countries around the world. From who and how much you ask? Here's the breakdown of donations:

_ The United Nations is releasing $10 million from its emergency funds.

_ The United States is sending ships, helicopters, transport planes and a 2,000-member Marine unit.

_ Canada is sending an immediate $5 million Canadian (US$4.8 million) to the Haitian government and has put transport planes, helicopters, a hospital ship and a disaster response team on standby.

_ The Irish telecommunications company Digicel said it would donate $5 million to aid agencies and help repair the damaged phone network.

_ The European Commission has approved euro3 million ($4.37 million), with more funds likely.

_ Spain has pledged euro3 million ($4.37 million), and sent three planes with rescue teams and 100 tons of emergency relief equipment.

_ The Netherlands has donated euro2 million ($2.91 million) and will send a 60-person search-and-rescue team.

_Germany gave euro1.5 million ($2.17 million) and sent an immediate response team. Another team with 20 rescue dogs is on standby.

_ Denmark has donated 10 million kroner ($1.9 million).

_ Italy is pledging euro1 million ($1.46 million).

_ China will donate $1 million, according to Xinhua News Agency.

_ Sweden has offered 6 million kronor ($850,000), along with tents, water purification equipment and medical aid.

Other Countries send their support:

_ Venezuela has sent doctors, firefighters and rescue workers.

_ Mexico will send doctors, search-and-rescue dogs and infrastructure damage experts.

_ France is sending two planes with doctors, food and medical equipment.

_ Britain has sent 64 firefighters with search-and-rescue dogs and 10 tons of equipment.

_ Iceland is sending 37 search-and-rescue specialists.

_ Taiwan is flying in 23 rescue personnel and 2 tons of aid and equipment.

_ Israel is sending an elite army rescue unit, including engineers, rescue workers, doctors and medics.

_ Cuba already had field hospitals on the ground when the quake struck.

German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer wrote, “Compassion is the basis of all morality”.

More simply put: Do the right thing and give what ya got.

Photo courtesy of LucasTheExperience, via Flickr