If you've been living under a rock, then you might not know that Haiti was struck by a major earthquake, and tens (some say hundreds) of thousands of people are feared dead. While there are people risking their lives to try and save others, some people are trying to capitalize on the tragedy in disgusting, despicable, and arguably evil ways. (I'm looking at you, Pat Robertson.)

Haiti is devastated by poverty, but this quake has brought destruction to all levels of society, rich and poor. Thousands of homes have been reduced to rubble, and there are countless people trapped and starving. In conditions like this, diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and dysentery will ravage the population in a matter of days.

There's hope, however. They need money more than anything else to be able to respond to this disaster, and that's one thing that many of us can spare, even if it's just a few dollars.

A small donation can go a long way in a place like Haiti, and will help provide food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, and medicine to those who desperately need it. The crisis is immediate and severe, and they need your donations NOW.

A variety of aid organizations are on the ground trying to help people in the middle of this crisis. I am unemployed and I still managed to squeeze a few dollars together to donate to the cause. I am asking all of you to help, as well. Here's a list of some of the many reputable aid organizations working on the relief effort, with links to their donation pages. I donated to Yele Haiti, you can make your own choice.

Make an Online Donation 

Yele Haiti - 100% goes to earthquake relief

International Red Cross - 50% goes to earthquake relief, 50% goes to general fund for Haiti

American Red Cross - general fund for international relief (no specifics on how much goes to Haiti) 

UNICEF - no information on how much goes to earthquake relief specifically (UNICEF is the United Nations fund for helping impoverished children)

Doctors Without Borders - this form is specifically for the Haiti emergency response fund. Nearly 90% of all their donations go to actual services, in this case providing free medical care to survivors, so that's probably a good estimate here.

CARE.org - direct donation to the relief effort.

World Food Program - they're working on getting food to the survivors.

Text Your Donation (I love this.)

Text "Yele" to 501501 to donate $5 to earthquake relief.

Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Red Cross for earthquake relief

I'm sure some of you will have more suggestions for worthy organizations, but the important thing is to dig down into your pockets and give today. It's not overstating the case to say that your donation WILL literally help save lives.