Haiti lies in ruins after Tuesday's devastating earthquake. American relief organizations are already on the ground and beginning to deliver desperately needed food, water, shelter, and medical aid.   Most are asking for cash donations, rather than food or clothing. Some also need volunteers with relief or medical expertise. 

(photo Juan Barreto/Getty Images)

Here's how you can help:

Text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross. The organization promises to use the first $1 million raised for Haitian Relief. (The donation will appear on your cell phone bill.) Or call 1-800-REDCROSS. 

Consider a relief organization with existing operations in Haiti. They include Save the Children,  Care USA, and Plan USA, all of which focus on helping children and families.

Donate to Doctors Without Borders, now mobilizing its volunteer medical teams. Call 1-888-392-0392 or send a donation to Doctors Without Borders USA, PO Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

For a list of more organizations active in Haiti, go to msnbc's "Haiti Earthquake: How to Help."

For information on the unfolding situation, visit the White House home page or the U.S. Department of State's Haiti Advisory page. For help locating U.S. citizens in Haiti, call the Department of State at 888-407-4747.

--Jessica Snyder Sachs