( CNN ) -- It 's been more than a year since Haiti was rocked by an earthquake , leaving about 230,000 people dead , hundreds of thousands injured and more than a million homeless . The international community was quick to provide aid , especially in the first few months after the earthquake . But the devastation did n't end with the natural disaster . Haitians are still dealing with a cholera epidemic that killed more than 2,000 people at the start of the year . Here are five ways you can help alleviate some of the Haitian people 's suffering : . 1 . Donate money You can make a difference by donating to one of the many organizations providing relief . Most nonprofits make it easy to send money -- via text message , online , on the phone or through the mail . Organizations such as the Clinton Foundation break down how your money will be spent . On the foundation 's website , you will see that $ 35 could provide six mosquito nets to help prevent the spread of malaria and other illnesses ; $ 55 could buy life-saving medical supplies ; $ 125 could purchase a tent to provide shelter for a family of five ; and $ 600 could provide two portable toilets for use in crowded camps . One hundred percent of the donations made to Haiti through the Clinton Foundation go directly to recovery efforts . 2 . Make personal hygiene kits If you 're looking for something more hands-on , several organizations , such as Heart to Heart International , allow you to make personal hygiene kits that will be shipped to Haiti . Close to 82,000 kits have been mailed through Heart to Heart in the past year . Instructions on what to put in the kits -- hand towels , toothbrushes and soap -- and where to send them can be found on the group 's website . `` Hygiene is one way to fight disease , especially in a cholera-induced environment , '' said Pete Brumbaugh , a Heart to Heart International executive . `` There 's also a benefit to the person making the kit . It gives them something hands-on that they can do to make a difference in Haiti , even though they are not able to be there . '' 3 . Volunteer Another way to help is through volunteering . Many of the volunteers in Haiti are medical aid workers who are sent to Haiti through organizations such as Doctors Without Borders . But organizations such as MedShare also offer volunteer opportunities for nonmedical aid workers in the United States . Since the earthquake , MedShare has shipped 28,000 boxes of surplus life-saving medical supplies and equipment to needy hospitals and clinics in Haiti . But they ca n't do it without the help of volunteers who sort and package the supplies . The organization will be making at least three more large shipments in the coming months and needs volunteers around Atlanta and in the San Francisco Bay Area . Visit medshare.org for more information on how to sign up . 4 . Be an advocate An easy way to spread the word about the organizations you support is to `` like '' them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter . If you want to take it a step further , some organizations such as J/P HRO , founded by actor and humanitarian Sean Penn , also have instructions on how to set up your own personal fundraising page to collect donations for the organization . Once it 's set up , you can e-mail your friends and spread the word on social networking sites . There are also ideas on how to plan an event to go along with your fundraising page . 5 . Help rebuild With more than a million people still displaced from their homes , there is still a great need for rebuilding efforts . In most cases , the best way to help is through donations to various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity . While this organization is currently not sending volunteers to Haiti , money raised over the past year has helped close to 24,000 families through emergency , transitional and permanent housing . Another organization , ShelterBox , relies on donations to send emergency shelter and other life-saving equipment to families in Haiti and other areas hit by disaster . ShelterBoxes include a disaster relief tent for a family of up to 10 people ; a children 's pack containing coloring books , crayons and pens ; a range of other survival equipment , including mosquito nets to prevent the spread of malaria ; a basic tool kit ; and a wood-burning or multifuel stove .
Groups providing cholera relief aid and rebuilding homes in Haiti still need help . Locally volunteering and advocating for aid groups can also make a big difference . There are hands - on ways to help : Hygiene kits are desperately needed .