I sponsor a child through Christian Children's Fund, one of the oldest and most trustworthy charities and it IS set up, unlike the political activist groups he mentions, to deliver water, food and clothing where it is needed. When my next statement arrives, I'm going to give a respectable donation. CCF is one of those charities that is there for the long haul. I'm sure they already have programs set up in all of the affected countries.
http://www.christianchildrensfund.org/
If you're good friends with these people would you please ask that guy who keeps begging me for money to put shoes on that little bare-footed tyke or pick her up and carry her?