"Hope for Haiti"

More than 50,000 people were killed and other 250,000 were injured in the Haiti quake so far.
The catastrophic quake could have also left some 1.5 million Haitians homeless.
The devastating quake on Tuesday destroyed nearly 70 percent of the buildings in Port-au-Prince. The presidential palace, ministries' offices, hospitals and schools were all affected.


Supermodel and new mum GISELE BUNDCHEN has become the latest star to dig deep and give big to the victims of Tuesday's (12Jan10) Haiti earthquake - she has donated $1.5 million (GBP938,000) to relief efforts.

The Brazilian has handed over the cash to the Red Cross after seeing news coverage of the devastation the 7.0-magnitude quake caused.

In a statement, she says, "I am heartbroken by the catastrophic events of the past six days in Haiti. It is important in times like these that we come together and find ways to help in any way we can."


Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have donated $1 million (GBP625,000) and Pitt and George Clooney's Not On Our Watch charity has donated another $1 million.


Meanwhile, Haitian-born Wyclef Jean is raising cash through his Yele foundation and Madonna has donated $250,000 (GBP156,250) to relief efforts.


She states, "My prayers are with the people of Haiti. I can't imagine the terrible pain and suffering they are experiencing. Sadly the depths of the tragedy are just becoming known and the need for our support grows more urgent with every passing moment.

"I have given a donation of $250,000 to assist Haiti's earthquake victims through Partners in Health, one of Haiti's leading healthcare providers. I urge all of my friends and fans around the world to join me collectively to match my contribution or give in any way you can."


And actress Alyssa Milano has donated $50,000 (GBP31,250) to UNICEF for Haiti relief, asking, "Which corporation will match my donation?"

In a TV interview, Wyclef revealed Haitians need at least $1 million a day in donations.

MORE UPDATE:

Sandra Bullock donated $1 million toward Haitian earthquake relief.


Bullock's contribution went to Doctors Without Borders' emergency operations in Port-Au-Prince, where three of the organization's existing facilities were damaged by the magnitude 7.0 quake.

"I wanted to ensure that my donation would be used immediately to meet the needs of the Haitian people affected by this catastrophic event," said Bullock in a statement.

US Mobile phone users donate more than $10 million to Haiti

According to the Mobile Giving Foundation, which helps wireless subscribers donate to causes around the world using text messages, over $10 million has been donated to efforts in Haiti. The Red Cross alone says that $8 million of the $37 million it has received in donations so far have come from mobile phones.

In a report with Reuters, Mobile Giving Foundation CEO Jim Manis said that people are sending 10,000 donations a second using SMS to foundations such as the Red Cross and Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. If you choose to give to either fund, you will be billed at the end of the month on your account, and the four big U.S. Carriers AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless are waiving the SMS fees for texts.
To donate $10 to the Red Cross text 90999 to "Haiti" and to give $5 to Wyclef Jean's fund, text 501501 to "Yele."

UPDATE:
Hollywood telethon raises $57 million for Haiti



A Hollywood television fundraiser that was initiated by Hollywood top star George Clooney has gathered more than 57 million U.S. dollars and drew at least 16.1 million viewers from 18 countries, sponsors said Saturday.

"The public has set a new standard of giving for a relief telethon with 'Hope for Haiti Now,' and the donations continue to come in," Lisa Paulsen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a non-profit organization providing support for "Hope for Haiti Now", was quoted by The Hollywood Reporter.

"People can still contribute 24/7 via phone, web and text," she added.

The two-hour telethon, dubbed "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief," drew former U.S. President Bill Clinton, top Hollywood musicians, actors and sports celebrities like former boxing king Muhammed Ali.

It was held in Los Angeles, New York, London and Haiti and was broadcasted globally. Proceeds will benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, Haitian musician Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Foundation and the new Clinton Bush Haiti Foundation.

Performances from the telethon will be available for purchase on iTunes for 99 cents each. A full performance album will be available for 7.99 dollars and the two-hour telecast will be sold for 1.99 dollars.

The telethon drew a collective 16.1 million viewers across six broadcast networks including ABC, NBC and CBS (and a 4.3 total rating among adults 18-49). ABC drew the largest broadcast audience of 4.6 million viewers (and a 1.2 rating). These early numbers do not include cable outlets such as MTV, CNN and VH.

Also, the single "Hope for Haiti Now" is currently the top-selling iTunes album in 18 countries, the biggest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history.

The 57 million dollars does not include donations by corporations, large private donors and iTunes sales figures, all of which are still being calculated, it is reported.