Haiti

[wondersofwine]

I decided to donate through International Rescue Committee. Checked their ratings and they have an A+ from the American Institure of Philanthropy, are one of Forbes 10 Gold Star charities, and meet all 20 wise giving standards of BBB. 90% of their funds go directly to programs and services, 6% goes to administration and 4% to fundraising.
When the big tsunami hit, they already had IRC personnel on the scene. That is not the case in Haiti but they have deployed an emergency response team to go and work with other organizations already there. These are veteran first responders. Their primary focus is working with refugees from war. They are helping rebuild communities in Pakistan that were devastated in the fighting between the Pakistani Army and the Taliban. Also helping Iraqi war refugees in Iraq and in Jordan and Syria.

Catholic Relief Services (mentioned by IK) also has an A rating from the Institute.

Interesting side note: The American Institute of Philanthropy recommends Fisher House (homes on military bases for family members to stay temporarily when soldiers are in the military hospitals--the one on Fort Bragg had many family members immediately after the disaster on the green ramp when two planes collided and went down in flames burning Army troops waiting to board one of the planes.) It also recommends Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund but is quite critical of Army and Navy Relief Funds which have hundreds of millions of dollars in reserve, rather than spending for the benefit of service members.