The magnitude 7.0 quake left an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 dead, and hundreds of thousands of survivors without shelter, food or clean water. Recovery costs have been forecast as high as $10 billion. 

The Victoria Foundation donors who want to help the people of Haiti may make gifts from their donor advised funds to agencies responding to the disaster. The organizations listed below have staff working on the ground in Haiti in order to provide much needed relief.

These organizations have a track record of providing aid to Haiti. Please note some of their websites are experiencing heavy traffic and may be temporarily unavailable.

The federal government is earmarking up to $50 million to match Canadians' donations to charities aiding relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Any donation made to Canadian charitable organizations between Jan. 12 and Feb. 12, 2010 will be matched by Ottawa through the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund -- which is managed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has compiled a guide, How Canadians Can Help,  with tips to avoid scams and ensure donations are sent to reputable groups. It offers a list of more charities.

Also, the Canada Revenue Agency has created a page to help Canadians be "informed donors" and ensure charities are properly registered. If you are thinking of making a donation to an organization but have reservations about its validity, please feel free to contact us at 250.381.5532 to find out more.

• Unicef Canada   This well-known organization's is to raise funds to support UNICEF's work for children in more than 150 countries and territories and build awareness among Canadians about the issues facing the world's children. Click here to donate

• The Humanitarian Coalition   This group is a joint effort between Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Quebec, CARE Canada and Save the children. The humanitarian coalition is dedicated to a united response in cases of humanitarian crises.Click here to donate

• Plan Canada   Plan works to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty based around eight core areas: education, health, water and sanitation, protection, economic security, child participation, sexual health including HIV. Click here to donate

• Direct Relief International   This organization provides specifically requested medical resources to community-based organizations in 59 countries. Click here to donate

• Doctors Without Borders   This international organization focuses on emergency medical relief in areas where there is no medical infrastructure or where the existing one cannot withstand the pressure to which it is subjected. Click here to donate

• Canadian Red Cross   The Canadian arm of the international aid and medical relief organization works around the world through the federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, based in Geneva, Switzerland. Click here to donate

• United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto   This Jewish group is seeking donations and has already sent $45,000 to IsraAid: The Forum for International Humanitarian Aid, to support search and rescue efforts in Haiti. The group is sending a team that includes medical staff, to Haiti.Click here to donate

• Salvation Army   This Christian organization is asking Canadians with Rogers and Bell cellphones to donate $5 or more by texting the word "haiti" to 45678. Donations can also be mailed or dropped off at local offices. Click here to donate

• World Vision Canada   World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization that works with children, families and communities around the world to deal with poverty and injustice. Click here to donate

• SOS Children's Villages   This independent, non-governmental social development organization works to unite families, shape futures and develop communities and has been doing so since 1949. Click here to donate

• Samaritan's Purse   This organization's emergency relief programs provide assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease and famine, through provision of food, water and shelter. Click here to donate

• The Mennonite Central Committee   MCC's work in Haiti over the past years has focused on reforestation and environmental education, human rights and advocacy for food security. MCC is responding to the Haiti earthquake with emergency assistance and long term reconstruction and trauma support. Click here to donate

• Centre d'etude et de cooperation internationale (CISC)   CISC is a private, not-for-profit corporation that fights poverty around the world, and has operations based in Haiti. The group's head quarters are based in Montreal. Click here to donate

• FTC Canada   This Christian organization tackles hunger around the world, and has operations in Haiti, where it offers food and education to children. Click here to donate

• United Nations World Food Programme   While not a Canadian organization, the UN WFP is a major international agency devoted to fighting hunger around the world, and is voluntarily funded. It's currently mobilizing all available resources to Haiti. Click here to donate