An estimated 200,000 people are dead and 1.5 million people are left without homes. The U.N. World Food Program (WFP) has joined in and brought food for 67,000 people on Sunday and will feed around 97,000 people on Monday. This help is not sufficient, though. Hundreds of thousands are still hungry and struggling to live even after making it through the initial earthquake. The WFP still has to have over 100 million meals in the next 30 days to continue feeding those in need.

The European Union has pledged to give Haiti 606 million in aid and the U.S. has promised to give 100 million. There are currently 1,700 troops on the ground helping out and will be joined by 2,000 Marines expected to arrive Monday (yesterday). There are also 9,000 U.N security officials trying to keep the peace between the looters and panicked individuals. The gun fights over supplies are adding to the chaos of the rubble. Not only do doctors have to focus on surgeries for earthquake victims, but now they have to help gang violence victims, as well.

Things in Haiti are not looking good for the near future. It is estimated that the complete reconstruction of the city will require years if not decades of work. However, many officials and doctors are not focused on the distant future but are concerned with the immediate future of the citizens of Port-au-Prince.

The United States has numerous amounts of charities and funding that people can donate to. Here is where you can find a link to the most popular organizations that are in the process of donating to Haiti. If you would rather volunteer, there are many opportunities for people of all ages to help out. Donate to the Red Cross, whether it be your time, money or blood. There are also places you can donate clothes to the people of Haiti.

Most non-profit organizations must have our help to bring enough aid to the citizens of Haiti. These charities were developed so that citizens like us can add our efforts and time to helping those in need. We must keep the help consistent. It’s time for the world to work together in order to rebuild a hurting nation. Join the fight to save the citizens of Haiti as they try to overcome this disaster.

Learn more about world affairs. Stop by Relate Magazine’s site where you can find out all about theearthquake in Haiti and other global happenings.

Tetanus tops the list, along with gangrene, as one of two of the most hazardous consequences of Haiti’s earthquake victims’ wounds. It is estimated that only 50% of that country’s children have been vaccinated against tetanus. The percentage of vaccinated adults is drastically lower. Almost all tetanus infections occur in those who have never been vaccinated or those who do not have boosters within ten years.

A common but somewhat misleading thought about tetanus is that it is contracted through wounds from rusty objects, especially those found anywhere near where horses are kept. “Lockjaw”, tetanus’ folk name, is often distantly regarded as a mysterious but deadly possibility if one has such an unfortunate encounter and doesn’t keep up with the preventative vaccine shot. Because tetanus prevention is standard practice in our country, we rarely think of how the bacteria affect those who are unprotected.

Although a rusted nail does provide an ideal anaerobic or low oxygen environment for the tetanus bacteria (clostiridium tetani) to propagate, this bacteria is ubiquitous in soil and animal feces. Also, horses tend to be more prone to tetanus infection than other animals in general but are not the main culprits in spreading the bacteria. Unfortunately, the clostiridium tetani spores particularly thrive in the hot and humid climates of tropical countries such as Haiti.

The toxin in this bacteria is called tetanospasmin and it acts upon the nervous system, producing fever and severe muscle spasms throughout the body. These spasms eventually cause brain damage through restricted airway and a subsequent lack of oxygen. With such dire and fatal consequences, it is easy to see why the appropriate treatment of deep wounds inflicted by any object should always be prefaced with the precautionary question, “When did you last have a tetanus shot?”

The incubation period of tetanus spans anywhere from 3 days to 3 months. Generally, symptoms become evident around 8 days. With the staggering number of deep and dirty wounds that so many people of Haiti received as buildings crumbled around them during the earthquake, the delivery of timely tetanus shots are of paramount importance.

Ms. Jen Long is an experienced glove industry consultant. As editor-in-chief of an online resource library for those who must wear gloves for public health reasons, or otherwise, Jen welcomes all readers to visit this collection of tips, tricks and a little humor: Latex Gloves Tips.