The Red Cross estimates that up to 50,000 people may have died in the eartquake that rcoked Haiti Tuesday evening. (Gerald Herbert/Associated Press)

Torontonians wishing to help the tens of thousands affected by Haiti's deadly earthquake will soon be able to make donations at some subway stations.

Volunteers from the Canadian Red Cross will collect money for the relief effort starting Monday at five subway stations:

• Bloor-Yonge.
• Kennedy.
• Sheppard-Yonge.
• Finch.
• King.

The volunteers will continue accepting cash donations until Friday next week, the TTC said in a Thursday release.

The announcement comes after Minister of International Co-operation Bev Oda said Thursday the federal government will match the contributions of individuals to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian and recovery efforts in response to the earthquake, up to a total of $50 million.

The Red Cross federation estimated Thursday that between 45,000 and 50,000 people might have died in the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince Tuesday.

Toronto group sends first responders

Toronto-based aid organization Global Medic flew to Haiti Thursday morning with the hope of providing medical help right away by setting up a mobile hospital.

Rahul Singh, a Toronto paramedic who is leading the mission, said he is trying to prepare himself psychologically for the death and carnage he is likely to encounter.

"We don't really have the right to feel the emotion. It's important for us to do the job and maybe think about it on the plane home," he said.

While his six-member crew won't be able to help everyone, it will probably save lives, Singh said.

Members of the Toronto-area's small but tightly knit Haitian community are vowing to help victims of the earthquake.

Ontario is home to about 9,000 Haitians, with 2,150 living in the GTA, according to the 2006 census.

'Start asking for help'

On Wednesday night, some Haitian Canadians met at a restaurant in Scarborough to decide how to send aid back home.

Those who came said they are desperate to help people back home.

Jean Maurice Guillaume feared their help won't make it to those who need it most, given the past history of government corruption in Haiti.

"We keep sending aid, aid, aid, humanitarian aid. The people who need it — they never see it," said Guillaume.

Sheyla Cadet-Walker, one of the organizers, called on people to spread out and look wherever they can for donations.

"Your colleagues, your friends — I'm sure they're watching the news — they know how bad this is. So I want you to start going to your workplace and start asking for help," said Cadet-Walker.

The group has set up a toll-free number that will accept donations and try to answer questions.

The number is 1-877-968-2889.