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The death toll in Haiti is surging towards a frightening figure.
A massive tragedy that has shaken the world just like the quake that left ruins in its wake.
But the sunshine factor has been the massive show of solidarity and support from all corners of the globe.
Millions are being raised.
It will not dispel the gloom but may help to lessen it.
New age media is chipping in and doing it by the bits and bytes.
Twitter updates are spreading the news.
That’s social media lending a hand to humanity.
The amount though takes the second spot behind the greater impact of generating awareness for a cause.
you might’t escape from it.
AlertNet
AlertNet brings you the latest in humanitarian news from around the world.
What gives it top billing is that it’s a Reuters site.
So you’ve got the option to expect the same up-to-datedness and accuracy of news reporting.
AlertNet draws ten million users a year.
A couple of mapping tools also give a graphical picture of emergencies and relief work around the world.
And if you want to jump in, theJob Searchtool is a help.
Visit the site’sAbout Uspage - it is definitely one of the most informative I have read.
Some features are open to only aid workers and organizations but the site is free as a whole.
Just like any online forum, Causecast encourages activities.
it’s possible for you to also log your offline humanitarian activities in your account.
The sum total of achievements can help you earn " Kudos' (a digital Thank You).
The Kudos can be exchanged for tangible gifts when the Causecast Marketplace opens up.
Changeants is a social networking site for learning about the causes around us.
The mission is powered by a community of dynamic individuals and their activities for social/environmental good.
The inspiration for a cause comes from stories (i.e.
blog posts) that get swapped across this social web connection.
But if you want to lead rather than follow, become a change agent yourself.
Care2
We have featured Care2beforeas a site which supports green living.
But the site is not only about that or their well designed free ecards.
Environmental issues are not the only thing on their agenda.
Any activity on the website can earn you credits.
These credits are redeemable as cash which goes to a non-profit of your choice.
Care2 calls it the " Butterfly Rewards'.
The Care2 community numbers nearly 12 million - a very large company for goodness.
Idealist
The organization behind Idealist.org is the nicely named non-profit calledAction Without Borders (AWB).
Idealist is like a common platform which connects those who need volunteer services with those who can offer them.
The site presently lists about 93,000 organizations from across the globe and 17,000 jobs in its index.
The site also holds career fairs and graduate degree fairs for the inclined.
These five sites are just the tip of the iceberg as far as social and philanthropy websites go.
What I have tried to present is the variety that’s on offer for the serious volunteer.
So you have a news site like AlertNet to begin with and then a web directory like the Idealist.
Whether big or tiny, a little effort goes a long way.
