10 Ways to Help Puerto Rico and Other Disaster Areas
As hurricanes and earthquakes create havoc for humanity, here are ways to donate to the relief efforts
Carlos Lopez and Alex Johnell Lopez stock up at an oasis set up to provide water to residents after Hurricane Maria knocked out power and most water supplies, in Cayey, Puerto Rico (Erika P. Rodriguez/The New York Times/Redux)
In just the latest natural disaster to strike our hemisphere, Hurricane Maria has left Puerto Rico in a catastrophic situation. Power and communications are out, and water is in short supply. “Puerto Rico, which is part of the U.S., can turn into a humanitarian crisis,” warned its governor, Ricardo Rosselló, on Monday. Meanwhile, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Florida and Texas face a difficult recovery from hurricanes Harvey and Irma, while Mexico has been wracked by successive deadly tremors.
Brooklyn residents have a strong connection with the disaster areas: the borough is home to an estimated 176,000 people of Puerto Rican descent and 94,000 from Mexico. Members of those communities have scrambled to collect supplies and donations for the regions. Tidal, Jay-Z’s music-streaming service, announced last week that the third annual Tidal X concert will happen Oct. 17 at Barclays Center and will benefit natural-disaster victims. (Tickets go on sale today.) We offer the following ten places to donate to relief efforts. The list is by no means complete; find more organizations here.
1. Unidos, by the Hispanic Federation
Organized by a group of New York and Puerto Rican civic leaders in partnership with the Hispanic Federation, a Latino nonprofit organization, Unidos has set up a relief fund in which the proceeds will go to to those affected by Hurricane Maria.
2. United for Puerto Rico
United for Puerto Rico is an organization that was created by Puerto Rico’s first lady, Beatriz Rosselló, in conjunction with the private sector to help with recovery from hurricanes Irma and Maria. The effort has attracted an array of corporate sponsors from Burger King to Walgreens.
3. Puerto Rico Real-Time Recovery Fund
Puerto Rican nonprofit development organization ConPRmetidos has partnered with the Foundation for Puerto Rico to tap expatriate Puerto Ricans and others to provide long-term relief for islanders. “We are here to connect the diaspora to power up Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria’s devastating hit,” says the group.
4. The Miami Foundation
The Miami Foundation, a 50-year-old philanthropic group, has created three different disaster-relief campaigns: the Hurricane Relief Fund, the U.S. Caribbean Strong Relief Fund and the Irma Community Recovery Fund.
5. Global Giving
Global Giving is a 15-year-old crowdfunding site that has directed $281 million to charitable causes by connecting nonprofits, corporations and private donors. The website has funds set up for those affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as earthquake victims and refugees.
6. The Red Cross
The Red Cross currently has funds set up for victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. The organization is accepting donations on its website. For Hurricane Harvey specifically, there is a special program in which “the American Red Cross is providing emergency assistance in the amount of $400 to qualified households in Texas directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”
7. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is taking donations for all hurricane-relief efforts. The organization’s work includes providing food, drink, shelter and cleaning supplies. In addition to this, Salvation Army employees and volunteers also provide emotional support to those who need it.
8. The Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy has launched hurricane-relief funds that are focused on the future. “Long-term recovery from this year’s particularly devastating hurricane season,” the center states, “is going to take billions of dollars and strategic cross-sector collaboration.”
9. Oxfam: Hurricane Irma
Oxfam, the global anti-poverty organization, has set up a relief fund for the most vulnerable people in parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic that were hit by Hurricane Irma. Oxfam’s primary concern is damage to water infrastructure and sanitation.
10. Best Friends: Hurricane Relief
Best Friends Animal Society, which provides rescue and sanctuary, has set up a fund focused on hurricane-stricken areas. Says the organization: “Every penny of your gift today will go toward recovery efforts to help reunite pets with families, help animals turned into shelters find homes, and help Houston and Florida area rescue groups and shelters rebuild and recover.”
