Wyclef Jean Haiti relief group Yele , how YOU can help the People of Haiti

The outlook for Haiti is grim.

A catastrophic 7.3 earthquake with an epicenter near Port-au-Prince has destroyed much of the capital city. Approximately 2 million people live within the disaster zone. Casualties could be in the hundreds of thousands. Haiti, already the poorest nation in Western Hemisphere, has seen its virtual and physical infrastructure collapse.  Most communications are down, massive aftershocks happen by the hour, and poorly constructed hillside shanty towns are collapsing like houses of cards

Haiti already has very high rates of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, viral and respiratory disease. Many thousands will have no access to life-saving medications.

The U.S. State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1.888.407.4747.

Wyclef Jean has issued an urgent pleas to help his struggling homeland. Writing at his website, the popular singer and producer said: "Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced. I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now."

How you can help:  Use your cell phone right now to help via texting:
1. Text "YELE" to 501501 to donate $5 for Haitian Relief (Wyclef Jean'sYele Foundation)
2. Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 (American Red Cross).

• UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

• Doctors Without Borders is in the disaster zone and set up clinics to treat injured. Donate any amount to help their efforts.

• UN World Food Programme  needs all resources.

• Go to Redcross.org and click Donate or call (800) REDCROSS.

• The U.S. Special Envoy to Haiti, President Bill Clinton, hopes to bring a major humanitarian mission to the island. Donate through the Clinton Foundation or text HAITI to 20222 to donate $10.

Or visit your nearest Lowe's and donate food, water, clothing or cash to the Red Cross.

Twitter has become an invaluable source of information on this tragedy. Search via #Haiti and #RedCross.

Find other ways to help via the Center for International Disaster Information. Please help.

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