The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti last night is being described as potentially one of that country's greatest disasters ever. Reports say that anywhere from 100,000 to as many as 500,000 people are feared dead. Port Au Prince has been literally reduced to a pile of rubble.

The Parliament building collapsed along with schools and hospitals. The enormity of the disaster is not fully known yet because Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, was ill equipped to handle such a catastrophe.

During his press conference this afternoon, Felix Augustin, the Haitian Counsul General, said water and medical supplies are desperately needed.

"Parliament has collapsed....The tax office has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed. There are a lot of schools that have a lot of dead people in them." Haitian president, René Préval told the Miami Herald. "It is a catastrophe."

Efforts are being made to gain access to Haiti, but the scope of the tragedy is making that very difficult. The best way to help now, according to the International Red Cross, is money.

"It's very difficult to get folks on the ground, and it takes time to ramp up support," Carrie Housman, a spokeswoman for the International Red Cross told Aol Black Voices. The group is already sending $1 million in support immediately. "The best way to help the people of Haiti is to make a donation."

President Obama promised a "a swift, coordinated and aggressive" response to what he called a "cruel and incomprehensible" tragedy." The Rev. Jesse Jackson praised the United States' response so far and said the United States has an obligation to help:

"Haiti was free before the United States was free. Haiti helped free America, America has a strong moral obligation to help Haiti," Jackson told Aol Black Voices in an interview.

Here are some links to help fulfill what Rev. Jackson says is our "moral obligation."The American Red Cross is accepting donations through it's International Response Fund.

Inquiries regarding relatives who live or were visiting Haiti may be directed to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.

Using your cell phone, you can can text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief for Haiti.

Haitian rapper and producer Wyclef Jean is also coordinating aid donations. Visit Yele.org to donate or text "YELE" to 501501 to donate $5.

The Haitian Consul General said donations can be made in to Chase Manhattan Bank Account #761549039.

Several other organizations such as the Center for International Diaster Information, Concern Worldwide and MercyCorps are accepting donations.
Aol Black Voices readers are already responding to the tragedy.

alicenblue says:

"Africa, the Caribbean and America has lots of Black folks, yet we haven't pull[sic] our resources, nor is there any real iniative/cooperation going on."

SloeWyne says:
"I pray for the people who were affected by this tragedy - like they needed ANYTHING else to affect that country! I know Wyclef Jean is gonna be down there doing some hands-on helping...."

Finally, the New York Times also has a good list of resources about where to get the latest information about Haiti. Help as much as you can.