Haiti Earthquake

On the evening of January 12, 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. It is the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years. The tremor struck 15km (10 miles) south-west of the capital Port-au-Prince, and was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude. Reports describe the destruction to affect as much as 70 percent of the buildings, with debris filling the roads making emergency response difficult. The Prime Minister reported on January 13 that hundreds of thousands of lives may have been lost.

You can help people affected by disasters by donating to the United Way Disaster Fund.

Gifts to the Fund support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by disaster and to address educational, financial and health-related challenges.

United Way Worldwide members in the Caribbean region have mobilized their staff, volunteer leaders and resources in response.

South India Flooding

India has witnessed its worst flood catastrophe in 100 years. Heavy rains, 600% higher than normal, in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have left behind a trail of death and destruction. Over 1 million people in Karnataka and around 1.7 million in Andhra Pradesh are left homeless as their houses have been partially or fully damaged. Karnataka has estimated its losses at $4 billion and Andhra Pradesh at over $2 billion. Both the death toll and the number of people rendered homeless are steadily increasing.

United Ways in India are addressing immediate needs of the flood victims, like housing, transportation and health care. United Ways have started assessing the significant long-term recovery and reconstruction needs of the communities in the flood-affected areas in partnership with local governments, service providers and other community organizations.

Flooding in the Philippines

Tropical Storm Ketsana, which roared across the northern Philippines on September 26, dumped more than a month's worth of rain in just 12 hours, fueling the worst flooding to hit the country in more than 40 years. The death toll currently stands at 240 people and is expected to rise. Overwhelmed officials called for international help, warning they may not have sufficient resources to withstand another storm that Weather Services warn could hit the island nation later this week. The United Way affiliate in the Philippines has earmarked emergency funds for initial relief and is raising donations for additional disaster needs and recovery initiatives. The affiliates' member companies have also pledged donations for flood response and recovery efforts.

In addition, the United Way affiliate in the Philippines is supporting the Sphere project. This initiative was developed by a group of NGOs and first responders to provide humanitarian relief packs to assist a family survive for five days. Relief packs include things like rice, sardines, mango, dried fish, cooking oil, salt, sugar, soap and a pot or blanket.

Flooding in Atlanta, Georgia

Torrential rain prompted flooding in and around Atlanta on September 21, 2009. United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta is working with a disaster network of more than 560 partners to support the community's first-responders and to begin planning for the short and long-term recovery of those affected.

United Way is working with its disaster network to assist first-responders; accurately assess the full scope of damages caused by the flood; and assisting in disaster volunteer management. Individuals and organizations interested in donating resources or supporting volunteer needs in the metro-Atlanta area can dial United Way Atlanta 2-1-1 at 404.614.1000

Typhoon Slams Taiwan

Our colleagues in Taiwan are assisting the survivors of the devastating typhoon that killed an estimated 500 people, destroyed the homes of 7,000 families and caused agricultural and property damage in excess of $1.5 billion when it passed over the island on August 9, 2009. Reconstruction in the mountainous southern region is expected to cost $3.4 billion.

United Way Taiwan is helping damaged agencies resume services as soon as possible; collecting data on unmet needs; providing a service table at refugee shelters; training and mobilizing volunteers to assist refugees complete forms for emergency relief and housing reconstruction subsidies. Throughout this process, United Way Taiwan is screening for post-traumatic stress disorder and families with special needs and partnering with other non-governmental organizations to plan for long-term recovery and community reconstruction.

United Way’s work around disasters

A crisis disrupts the building blocks of a good life—education, income and health. At United Way Worldwide we understand that accessing opportunities for a good life are not possible when basic survival takes precedence.

Long before catastrophe strikes and long after first responders move on, United Way is a member of the community, mobilizing the caring power of people. United Way knows that one’s fate is tied to the fate of others and that society as a whole benefits from improvements in quality of life. Our success at preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters fortifies our goals in education, income and health.

Disaster work is local. It always has been and always will be. At United Way Worldwide, we are committed to supporting our members’ and partners’ communities prepare for, respond to and recover from crises to assure that the rebuilding process is comprehensive.

You can help people affected by disasters by donating to the United Way Disaster Fund. Your generous gift will assist United Way efforts to address the educational, financial and health-related challenges that arise when disasters devastate communities.

The United Way movement galvanizes millions to action—to give, advocate and volunteer—to improve the conditions in which they live, regardless of how the conditions were created.
Our international network represents nearly 1,800 organizations in 45 countries and territories, raises $5.29 billion USD and mobilizes more than 2.5 million volunteers annually.