Have a friend who's an IT expert... wants to go to Haiti to help

[Kalyke]

Who should he contact?

[Electric Monk]

1. To do what, clear rubble? Set broken bones?

[Kalyke]

3. Help set up grids to coordinate.

Geez... you don't think that's not going on?

Really, he's young, single, strong and wants to help. Let him. Don't mock him. He could grid and help with rubble.

[Electric Monk]

5. I'm pretty sure that part is already covered. What's needed, for boots on the ground, are skill sets

that can help on the ground. Why go there unless to use your hands directly there? IT work could be done from anywhere.

[Wilms]

2. Longterm, perhaps OXFAM.

If I got it right, people going into such event areas soon after are a double-edge sword. They themselves would need food, water, sanitation, and potentially medical.

It would be best to bring that all with them. And then, HOW do you get in? (Airports clogged, etc.)

[Kalyke]

4. Thanks. Tell me more.

[Wilms]

6. One other thought is that his skills might be helpful to groups working nearby.

I was able to help like that for a relief operation.

[ChicagoSuz219]

7. I'd tell him to go to Pres. Clinton's website...

...send them a message listing his skills & ask them to send him where he can do the most good.

[Yavin4]

8. The Best Thing For Your Friend To Do Is Donate Money To Relief Organizations

Right now in Haiti, there's chaos, and your friend would only be contributing to that chaos, no matter how well intentioned he may be. As another poster said, he would need food, water, and be protected all of which would distract from the mission.

Right now, donate money and monitor the situation for any other types of hands-on projects like assembling aid kits here in the U.S.

Don't go to Haiti, and don't pester the relief organizations.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. IT will be needed but not right now

He will be able to help anywhere from two weeks from incident (depending on safety situation), upwards of five years.

Right now they are in the midst of the rescue effort, last thing they need is him.

If he was trained even as an EMT... but...

there will be need for his skills in two weeks at the earliest. Doctors without borders, Oxfam, UN will need people... and skills.

[undeterred]

10. Help lay cable?

[ddeclue]

11. Can he lift concrete slabs with software?

If not he's just in the way.