Bay Area aid workers contribute to Haiti relief effort

Early this morning, a powerful 6.1 magnitude aftershock struck Haiti, just over a week after last Tuesday’s earthquake devastated the already poverty-stricken country.  Rescue crews continue searching for survivors among the rubble, but the world’s attention has turned from saving lives to aiding those who survived.

The European Union and the United States have pledged a combined $675 million dollars in aid, and people all over the world are using Facebook, Twitter, and cell phones to contribute financial support. The Northern California Coast Guard deployed late last week, and here in the Bay Area, medical groups such as Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente, are sending a total of $2.4 million dollars in supplies and personnel.

Individuals and local groups are also mobilizing to do what they can to help.  KALW’s Erica Mu joins husband and wife aid workers Paul and Michelle Lacourciere of Sirona Cares as they prepare to leave for Haiti.

Local Organizations Helping the Haiti Relief Effort:

Sirona Cares

California Nurses Association

Stanford Hospital and Clinics