Haiti is in ruins and they are crying out for help!! A 7.0 quake leaves the country of Haiti literally demolished. A little after 5:00 p.m. ET, on January 12, 2010 a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving a wake of panic, dread, and destruction. This natural disaster has hit a country with an extremely fragile infrastructure, where many buildings are already unstable, and where living conditions are very difficult. The capital city of Port-au-Prince has all but been destroyed and the American Red Cross has reported that approximately three million people have been affected by the earthquake. Following the catastrophic quake has been a series of devastating aftershocks; at least 28 had struck by Tuesday morning.

The earthquake took out communications and landline telephones and the sound of devastation can be heard throughout the cities. The sound of cries, wails, and moans were heard echoing above the cracked cement and broken buildings. Rescue efforts are underway but have been hindered due to the lack of communications. The earthquake has been deemed to be the worst in over 200 years. Rescue workers are searching for entry passage as many of the roads have been devastated. It is still too early to count all the dead.

“We must act now,” stated Wyclef in his online statement while mentioning the fact that President Obama has stated that the United States “stands ready to assist” the country and the Haitian people.

Not only did the country suffer during then initial 7.0 earthquake – but reported several very strong aftershocks – ranging from 5.0 to 5.9, in some areas, while it occurred just 10 miles from Port-au-Prince where most of Port-au-Prince’s major landmarks are said to be significantly damaged or destroyed including the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and a hospital. Hundreds of thousands of people are already feared dead, killed in this tragic, tragic natural disaster.

In related news, Wyclef Jean and Yéle Haiti partnered with the United Nations World Food Program and the Pan American Development Foundation in 2008 to create “Together for Haiti,” which is expected to help the country through food hardships in this traumatic time to definitely prevent any further deaths.

As Wyclef put it in his statement, “idle hands will only make this tragedy worse.”

Once again, to donate $5 simply text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund, or visit http://www.yele.org/.Ever since a powerful and devastating earthquake, that measured a 7.0 on the scale, struck the impoverished Caribbean country Haiti on January 12, blogs, websites and people everywhere are doing what they can to help the country which has already been through a reported economic struggle since 2004. One of the people stepping up definitely is Haitian multi-platinum musician, rapper and recording artist Wyclef Jean from the hip hop group Fugees which also included members Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel. Wyclef, though Brooklyn-raised is Haitian-born, so has definitely taken this natural disaster to his homeland to heart.

The award-nominated artist who established the Yéle Haiti Foundation in 2005 reached out first via a statement online and is urging people to donate $5 which people can do by simply texting “Yele” to 501501 which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. The charge will show up to the donator’s phone bill. Otherwise, people wanting to donate can logon to Yele.org and click on DONATE.