The January 12th earthquakes reportedly measured from 6.5 to 7.3 on the Richter scale, causing a critical shortage of essential supplies and support personnel. To help this need, participating web hosts partnered with the American Red Cross to provide support, which according to the group may include mobilizing relief workers, sending relief supplies, and providing financial resources for recovery.
"Although normally fiercely competitive, as members of the hosting community we know that the power we wield as a group is much more than we can wield individually. And so we've come together to help assist those affected by this disaster," the Hosting for Haiti website proclaims. "With the generosity of all our combined customers, we hope to make a difference. And you can too. One dollar helps. One hundred dollars helps one hundred times more."
The group's appeal has been heard by adult web hosting companies as well.
"When we saw that the hosting industry had the chance to make a difference in Haiti we knew Webair needed to step up and lend our full support," Gerard of Webair.com said. "A lot of people think hosting is only about technology, but at the end of the day it's really all about people and infrastructure."
Gerard told XBIZ that he hopes the industry's combined generosity can raise enough money to make a difference for the Haitian people.
"All donations large or small go directly to support the relief effort," Gerard added. "If our massive newsletter campaign, social networking, and work behind the scenes can improve the infrastructure and lives of the people suffering in Haiti even a little, it's worth doing everything we can."
Those interested in helping out can donate to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development fund, as well as link to www.hostingforhaiti.com and/or Tweet about the assistance effort, using the hash-tag #hostingforhaiti to spread the word.