Oxford Haiti Appeal 2010
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A devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake has hit Haiti, including the densely populated capital Port-Au-Prince and the surrounding area. Although there is as yet no accurate assessment of the death toll it is clear that millions of people live in the affected area. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, greatly increasing the risk that people will suffer or die in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Communications have been severely disrupted and many roads are blocked with rubble. Despite the challenges, many aid agencies are already helping on the ground while others are preparing to do so. Very substantial humanitarian assistance will be required to ensure survivors get food, clean water, emergency shelter, medical care and other support.
Oxford has a strong history of disaster relief efforts. After all, it is the birth place of what is now one of the world's largest humanitarian organisations: Oxfam. In the past week we have seen an amazing groundswell of action in towns across the world, and Oxford is no exception.
It is for this reason that our local businesses, schools, universities, organisations and individuals should pull together to show strong support for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal - so by pledging your support on this page - we can, together, demonstrate our compassion for the people of Haiti.
Thanks to Guppi Bola for this text, and for creating the JustGiving page and compiling much of this information and bringing it to our attention.
Donating to Disasters Emergency Committee
To donate directly, online and instantly to the charity Disasters Emergency Committee (via the fundraising website JustGiving) either click here, or on the logo at the top of the page.
Alternatively, you can text the word "GIVE" (without quotation marks) to 70077 to donate £5 instantly and directly from your mobile credit balance to DEC. It's even faster and easier than online donation. You can also visit www.dec.org.uk/donate_now afterwards to add Gift Aid to your donation, increasing its value at no added cost.
Why Disasters Emergency Committee?
Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organisation allows member agencies (including Oxfam, the British Red Cross, Christian Aid and Islamic Relief) to maximise income from the public and mount an effective humanitarian response to major disasters. By donating to DEC, you can be sure your money will be doing the most possible good for the greatest number of people in Haiti. Since many of DEC member agencies already had a presence in Haiti before the earthquake hit, you can also be sure that your money will be helping people on the ground as soon as possible. For more information about the Disasters Emergency Committee please visit their website.
Why JustGiving?
JustGiving handles the technical and legal side of donation, and allows everybody to track how much has been donated to through the Oxford Haiti Appeal webpage. They also automatically claim Gift Aid on every eligible donation, increasing the value of the money raised. For more on JustGiving (including how they are funded), see here.
Charity Events in Oxford
If you live in Oxford and would like to support a local fundraising event, either with donations or volunteering, have a look at the events below. Also, check our Volunteering and Coming Events pages for events just in. You can also look at the Oxford Haiti Appeal Facebook group to get the latest news on fundraising.
Pembroke RAG & Oxford Student's Oxfam Group will be holding a charity massage session on Saturday 13th February, 11am-3pm, in Pembroke JCR. £2 (plus any contributions) for 2 minutes massage. Students from all Oxford colleges are welcome; just turn up! See their facebook page for more details.Justin Davis is organising a charity walk on Saturday 23rd January, from Blackbird Leys Community Centre to the city centre. The walk will begin at 10am in Blackbird Leys road; anyone who would like to join in should phone 07895 004144, email [email protected], or just turn up!
Christian Aid Oxford will be running a DEC appeal collection in the Westgate Shopping Centre this week (Friday 22 and Saturday 23 January).
Oxford Oxfam Group will be running a street collection in Oxford City Centre on Saturday 23rd January. They need volunteers to collect money; see their website, here for more details, or email [email protected] to sign up to help.
Marie Jones, a Daily Info reviewer, is doing a sponsored swim to raise money for the DEC; it's even more impressive given that she had major spinal surgery last year. See her JustGiving page for more details.
The Cherwell School are having a fundraising day on Friday 29th January: "Wear a Hat for Haiti, or Red or Blue, or Both" (or, presumably, all three). Money raised to go to DEC.
A charity gig by the Johnny Berry Band, Cuckoo's Nest, 4 More Faces, Chris Brown Disco and Lost Chihuahua will be held on Friday 22nd January at Kidlington Football Club, Yarnton Road. Entry £5, proceeds to DEC.
Oxford Organisations
The following Oxford organisations and businesses are helping to fundraise or to publicise the plight of Haiti. If you'd like your organisation or business to be listed below, please email [email protected] with details of how you can help.
How Can We Help?
This page is designed to list any way in which people in Oxford can help the relief efforts in Haiti, or any news or information that might be useful towards that end. If you have anything you'd like added to this page; a charitable event; a fundraising plea, either for DEC or any other charity doing worthy work in Haiti; organisations interested in promoting the appeal; or anything else that might be helpful, contact us at [email protected], or contact Guppi Bola via [email protected].
