The situation in Haiti is utterly horrific. If you want to help by making a donation, there’s no better way than the Red Cross’s International Response Fund, which has the economies of scale to ensure that every dollar you give can be used to maximum benefit and relief.

If you’d rather not donate online, you can mail a check to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be also be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

You can also donate to the Red Cross via SMS by texting “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10. Or, you can text “YELE” to 501501 to donate $5 to the Yele Foundation, founded by Haitian musician Jean Wyclef.

Other reputable organizations accepting online donations earmarked for Haiti are OxFam America and Islamic Relief USA.

From the Red Cross blog:

Our thoughts and support are with Haiti. We have pledged an initial $200,000 and are accepting donations to the Disaster Online Newsroom. We are releasing all our supplies located in a Panama warehouse, from kitchen and cooking sets to mosquito nets.

We expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

If you’re concerned about a US citizen living or traveling in Haiti, call the U.S. State Dept at 1-888-407-4747 for assistance. Otherwise keep trying loved ones via phone, social networking sites, or through a loved one outside the disaster zone.

For the latest news on Haiti relief efforts, there’s no better source than Twitter – follow @redcross, or @Wyclef.