Recently in World Category

A strong 6.0 earthquake knocked down stone and mud-brick houses in eastern Turkey early this morning, killing at least 51 people in five villages. The earthquake surprised many residents as they slept, crumpling buildings into piles of rubble. Survivors fled into narrow village streets, some climbing out of windows, as nearly 80 aftershocks rattled the region.

Today is International Women's Day. It is a major day of global celebration of women. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements. Samaritan's Purse is celebrating the accomplishments of women rising above poverty, abuse, and exploitation through livelihood and support projects in the developing world.

Senator Kay Hagan released a statement weighing in on what the United States, and more specifically North Carolina, is doing to help the devastated country of Haiti after this week's major earthquake. Hagan said many North Carolinians, including members of her own church, have strong ties to the country through missionary and aid work.

The Raleigh organization Hearts with Haiti invested time and love in the St. Joseph's Home for Boys that was completely destroyed. Thankfully, the children are safe.

On Thursday, the 82nd Airborne departed for Haiti, and more of our soldiers will arrive on Friday. Many men and women from Fort Bragg who will provide necessary humanitarian relief, and immediate help to the earthquake victims.

The Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross has received several calls from residents here in the High Country who would like to help with the recovery efforts in Haiti after a 7.0-maginitude earthquake struck the country earlier this week. According to Lynn Norwood of the local Red Cross, residents cannot simply volunteer to go to Haiti with the Red Cross.  She said international volunteers must go through specialized training before being deployed.  Residents can learn more about training by calling the Red Cross' office at 264-8226. Norwood explained the American Red Cross has already released supplies that were in a warehouse in Panama and the organization has 40-50 disaster specialists that are already on the ground. Norwood said the best way to help is to donate money to a large, reliable organization.  Norwood said she's heard of residents working to collect clothes, canned foods, and other items to send to Haiti.  At this point, she says the logistics of getting the items to the devastated country are extremely daunting.

Residents can also text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross.  The $10 will be added to your cell phone bill.

High Country Association of Realtors has donated $500 to the Red Cross to help with disaster relief.  HICAR's president, Hope Harvey, said this is the association's first step in what may be a longer-term effort to help with relief to Haiti.