Haiti in Real-Time

While many might make fun of our current obsession with social media and Twitter, its vital utility is never more apparent than during a crisis. We are seeing this more than ever right now as the world deals with the devastation in Haiti.

It was the pictures from two locals @CarelPedre and @MarvinAdy on the scene after the earthquake that were picked up by outlets around the globe. International Development Non-Profiteer, @Cat_Laine has also been tweeting links and sharing her personal experiences throughout the chaos.

Besides watching the real-time conversation continue before our very own eyes by searching #haiti on Twitter, many people have started putting together lists, which help curate the updates and categorize the users you should be following to get the latest news by the second. The @cbsnews Twitter list is a great resource, including streams from Anderson Cooper (one of the first journalists on the ground) to Haiti's Internet provider, MultiLink.

While many of us may feel far from the disaster, we are all only one click away from doing our bit to help. Here's a great list from the top social media news site, Mashable, on 9 Ways to Help Now.

For all us texting addicts, the easiest way to donate is the following:
Musician and Haitian native, Wyclef Jean - currently on route to Haiti- has been very vocal on his Twitter, urging people to donate to his grassroots Yele Haiti earthquake fund, by text "Yele" to 501501.

You can also donate $10 to the Red Cross by texting "Haiti" to 90999.