It is hard to think about everything changing in an instant. Every time a natural disaster hits anywhere in the world, millions of people have their lives forever changed. I have been appreciating my loved ones since Tuesday when the Earthquake struck as we watch the struggle in Haiti unfold.

Here are some of the the facts about what is happening in Haiti:

-Earthquake Facts-
from http://earthquake.usgs.gov where scientific details and area maps can be found.

Magnitude:
7.0
Date-Time:
* Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 21:53:10 UTC
* Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 04:53:10 PM at epicenter
* Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location:
18.457°N, 72.533°W
Depth:
13 km (8.1 miles) set by location program
Region:
HAITI REGION
Distances:
25 km (15 miles) WSW of PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti
130 km (80 miles) E of Les Cayes, Haiti
150 km (95 miles) S of Cap-Haitien, Haiti
1125 km (700 miles) SE of Miami, Florida

Magnitud:
7.0
Fecha-Hora:
*martes, 12 de enero 2010 a las 21:53:10 (UTC) - Tiempo Universal Coordinado
*martes, 12 de enero 2010 a las 04:53:10 PM hora local al epicentro
*Hora del Terremoto en otras zonas de horario
Localización:
18.46N 72.53W
Profundidad:
13.0 kilómetros
Región:
REGION DE HAITI
Referencia:
25 km (15 miles) WSW of PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti
130 km (80 miles) E of Les Cayes, Haiti
150 km (95 miles) S of Cap-Haitien, Haiti
1125 km (700 miles) SE of Miami, Florida

From the American Red Cross:

A Message from First Lady Michelle Obama & The American Red Cross

If you’re trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti, you should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.

US Companies have been pledging millions of dollars in aid to Haiti in the wake of the disaster. Some US citizens are skeptical of Aid efforts, wondering where the money goes and if efforts will have follow through, citing New Orleans after Katrina as a community still suffering and mostly forgotten. CNN & Reuters both released stories publishing the names of US companies donating money to Haiti. UNICEF urges companies and individuals to donate cash and water purification tablets during the first stages of the Aid process, to help build a strong foundation for distribution of aid later.

How has the disaster and the efforts to help affected you?