Travel Tip: Helping Haiti

Months after the devastating earthquake, the crisis in Haiti is still ongoing. But if you want to help make a difference, relief agencies have had time to mobilize and organize efforts. Here’s what’s happening.

In November, a Royal Caribbean cruise to San Juan, St. Maarten, and Labadee, Haiti, will double as a relief effort.

The trip, called Cruise4Haiti, is an official mission for Airline Ambassadors, delivering pallets of food and supplies. Cruisers can join humanitarian visits in San Juan and Labadee.

Another organization, called Elevate Destinations, has upcoming building projects in Jacmel and Port-au-Prince. They’ve partnered with St. Joseph Home for Boys, which operates three schools in Haiti.

The Colline Foundation is bringing in volunteer groups starting in late summer. These guys, based in Brooklyn, ran a school in Haiti that was destroyed in the quake. Now they’ve refocused their efforts to helping in their home country.

Just remember, any group heading there needs to have an organized plan and contacts on the ground. Having a guide, a translator and local security is crucial for your own safety, so ask lots of questions before you sign up.

Get more tips with: Haiti Donation & Volunteer Guide.

Or check out our Voluntourism section for more articles and tips.

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