Financial donations are still recommended by the American Red Cross as the best way to aid in the relief efforts in Haiti following the disastrous earthquake of January 12.
However, companies are beginning to send certain goods and services to the nation to aid both relief workers and Haitian citizens as they move toward rebuilding the nation.
Sprint announced Wednesday that it would donate wireless and long-distance equipment to the relief effort by the Greater Washington Haitian Relief Association. The equipment will help relief workers communicate with each other and reach family members both domestic and abroad. Sprint also donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross immediately following the disaster.
The wireless devices Sprint donated will also help drive donations through phone banks. As many people are donating to Haitian organizations over the phone.
"Communication between our organization, family members of the earthquake victims, and our relief partners in Haiti has been so very essential to the success of our efforts," said Albert Decady, chair of GWHRC. "Sprint’s donation of wireless phones, long-distance service and other equipment will make our work more immediate, coordinated and effective."
Hanesbrands has also announced it has secured 2,000 tents to send to its contract sewing operations as part of its efforts to "feed, clothe, shelter and employ thousands of earthquake victims."
The family-sized tents cost $250,000 collectively and will arrive in Haiti at the end of next week. Hanesbrands employs about 3,200 contracted sewers in Port-au-Prince at two separate plants; both were forced to suspend production after the disaster.
The company is also planning $3 million in cash donations as well.
"Our contractors have done heroic work, supplying food and humanitarian aid to workers, getting their operations functional again and putting employees back to work," said Gerald Evans, Hanesbrands’ president of international business and global supply chain.
