The powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday is the worst the region has seen in more than 200 years and has left the country in a shambles, without electricity or phone service, tangling efforts to provide relief to an estimated 3 million who have been affected by the quake.

Haitian president René Préval has said the toll is “unimaginable” and estimated that thousands of people have died.

U.S., France, China and the Dominican Republic are all sending search and rescue teams to Haiti. A U.S. military official says tentative plans are underway for the hospital ship USNS Comfort to dock off the coast of Haiti to assist the sick and wounded.

There are several relief organizations dedicated to helping the people of Haiti.  Please consider helping however you can.

International Medical Corps

International Committee of the Red Cross

Direct Relief International