EarthSpark International, a U.S.-based nonprofit operating in Haiti, is reportedly raising money to send solar lamps to the country in an effort to assist in disaster relief activities taking place in the battered country.
The organization is working with the coalition of fellow Clinton Global Initiative members to coordinate the supply and distribution of solar-powered products in Port-au-Prince. The portable power options can be expected to make an immediate impact on the communities and individuals in relation to safety and well-being.
“Port-au-Prince is without light or power,” General Wesley K. Clark, U.S. Army (ret.), said in a statement. “EarthSpark and its partners are working to provide thousands of solar lamps and mobile phone chargers. These are a simple and efficient solution that will greatly address both the lighting needs and the security of the devastated communities across Port-au-Prince.”
The coalition has secured donor commitment for the deployment of 6,500 lamps and 800 mobile phone chargers, already on their way to Haiti. Companies such as SunNight Solar, SunTransfer, D.Light Design, and Barefoot Power are ready to send more than 50,000 solar lamps, mobile chargers and flashlights.
These products will be distributed on the ground with Partners in Health and relief organizations. EarthSpark has also raised funds to install 1.8 kilowatts of solar-powered lighting in hospitals run by Partners in Health.
“Lighting is critical to our operations, but the diesel to run our generators is scarce,” said Partners in Health founder, Paul Farmer. “The provision of solar-powered lighting, facilitated by EarthSpark, will allow us to focus our efforts on supplying medical services to those in need.”
Throughout the telecommunications industry, companies are stepping up to help Haiti and its residents.
Mobile Giving Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping other non-profits raise funds through mobile, has reportedly
raised donations via
mobile phones for Haiti Earthquake Relief and said that it has surpassed $20 million across all the short codes managed by the organization.
A local Red Cross
call center in Cross Lanes is working round the clock to make sure all calls are answered. In terms of the general public reaching more than 5,000 phone calls
have come in to the Red Cross in Cross Lanes since last Tuesday’s hit to Haiti.
Edited by
Amy Tierney
