Art Therapy Disaster Relief

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UPDATE ON HAITIAN RELIEF EFFORTS

The International Art Therapy Organization and Art Therapy Alliance join with other international organizations to support relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

Message sent to IATO Members on January 13th, 2010:

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, a powerful earthquake caused massive damage in Haiti, in particular the capital city of Port-au-Prince. The Red Cross estimates that 3 million people have been affected by the earthquake, and Haitian President René Préval estimates that thousands have died. In an already impoverished nation, the 7.0-magnitude earthquake is expected to lead to a severe health crisis.

How can you help? Because huge lists of charities make no sense at times like these, we have put together a short list of important organizations that have both provided relief and supported psychosocial intervention as part of disaster relief. The list below is by no means exhaustive, but please consider offering your support to any of the following:

International Red Cross - The IRC is mobilizing resources and staff to respond to the earthquake, and is accepting donations to aid their efforts. The American Red Cross is also collecting donations via cell phone -- Text "Haiti" to the cell number 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The charge will appear on your cell phone bill.

UNICEF - Along with UN partners, UNICEF has begun relief efforts, and is accepting donations.

International Medical Corp-- International Art Therapy Organization is currently working with IMC on an initiative in Africa; their work is often inspired by the use of arts in trauma relief around the world.

Doctors Without Borders - Members of Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) are already in Haiti treating the injured, and the group is collecting donations to support their work.

Partners in Health- This group dedicated to providing the global poor with health care and is collecting donations to provide supplies to hospitals and health groups in Haiti.

Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund- At the request of President Obama, these past two US presidents are partnering to raise funds and awareness.

PS: It has been personally inspiring to receive so many resumes and CVs and letters of support/interest from so many wonderful art therapists, artists, students, and professionals interested in helping with relief efforts in Africa and elsewhere in the world. More news coming soon on all fronts!

Be well, and please pass this message along to your colleagues,

Cathy Malchiodi, PhD, LPAT, LPCC, International Art Therapy Organization

Gretchen Miller, MA, ATR-BC, Art Therapy Alliance

INTERNATIONAL ART THERAPISTS DISASTER RELIEF DATABASE

In response to requests from international agencies in the US and around the world, IATO has been called upon to create a database of professionals to provide art therapy and psychosocial services as part of disaster relief. If you would like to become part of this database, please send an email with information about yourself and your curriculum vitae or resume to info@theiato.org. We are currently looking for French-speaking professionals with experience in Africa or disaster relief in other parts of the world.

Please check your International Art Therapy Organization Facebook or LinkedIn mail for updates and late-breaking news. For more information on art therapy and disaster relief, go to the Resources page and click on Disaster Relief.

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