The devastating earthquake in Haiti last week has claimed tens of thousands of victims and triggered massive suffering among the Haitian people. The humanitarian aid efforts to bring relief will require extraordinary generosity and coordination from Americans and the entire international community.

The following is a listing of the action steps and resources that Massachusetts leaders and residents can use to be involved:

How to donate

The White House is telling all Americans that the best way to provide immediate assistance is to make a cash donation. The MMA suggests that you donate to the following organizations:

• The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org or by texting HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 (your donation will be added to your phone bill)

• The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund at www.ClintonBushHaitiFund.org, to donate through the organization established by the White House and headed by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush to marshal resources for relief efforts

• The US Fund for UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake, to donate to UNICEF programs to aid children affected by the earthquake

How cities and towns can help

The National League of Cities has established a central Web page (www.nlc.org/haiti) to provide resources for municipal leaders across the country and to encourage local leaders to participate in the relief effort.

The White House has established a central online source of information for the U.S. government’s relief efforts, at www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts official Web site has resources available as well.

Information about those missing in Haiti

Individuals seeking information about family members and loved ones in Haiti should contact the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., at www.state.gov or (888) 407-4747, or contact the International Committee for the Red Cross at www.icrc.org/familylinks for their program for families separated by disasters or conflicts.

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