Turning Briefly from the Pacific

Although this blog is dedicated to the study of economic development in the Philippines, Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti and the dramatic humanitarian challenge it caused is a reminder of the urgency and complexity of an effective international disaster relief system. Instead of recapitulating one of the New York Times articles on the right in blogg-ier form, let's take a moment to identify the critical needs of Haitians and the opportunities available to contribute to the relief effort:

Partners in Health, with its long and famous history of providing health services in Haiti, is now at the forefront of the logistical challenge of providing disaster services. Contributions to Partners in Health can made here.

Partners in Health is especially in need of doctors, nurses, and medical personnel. From their website:

"As patients flood to our sites from Port-au-Prince, we're finding ourselves in need of both medical personnel and supplies. In particular, we need surgeons (especially trauma/ orthopedic surgeons), ER doctors and nurses, and full surgical teams (including anesthesiologists, scrub and post-op nurses, and nurse anesthetists).

If you are a health professional interested in volunteering, please send an e-mail to volunteer@pih.org with information on your credentials, language capabilities (Haitian Creole or French desired), availability and contact information.

Doctors Without Borders is also in Port-au-Prince, struggling to treat hundreds of the injured. Donations can be made at their website.

Also, that "text 'HAITI' to 90999 to donate $10 American Red Cross relief for Haiti" message that you’ve been seeing everywhere for a full day is a savvy use of social networking technology and an innovation in philanthropy that's probably worth studying when the appropriate time comes.

The commentary to this post can serve as the IEDP team's repository of information on the relief effort. Please post any other information about organizations who are working in Port-au-Prince or other opportunities to help provide crucial services to the victims of this disaster.