How You Can Help After Hurricane Dorian
Here’s where to donate to help victims of the first major Atlantic hurricane of the season
Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas as a slow-moving Category 5 storm, sitting over the islands for two days. Damage to several of the islands has been catastrophic, and at least 44 people have died and nearly 70,000 are homeless. The storm weakened as it made landfall on the East Coast of the U.S., still causing thousands of evacuations in North Carolina’s Outer Banks and at least two deaths. Before heading out to sea, the storm struck Canada’s Maritime provinces, causing power outages for about 500,000 residents in Nova Scotia.
A satellite image of Hurricane Dorian over Grand Bahama island on Sept. 2, 2019. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite image created by Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere
The Humane Society of the United States. The Humane Society coordinated evacuations of animals out of shelters in Hurricane Dorian’s path on the East Coast. It is taking donations for its Emergency Animal Rescue Fund, which supports animal care efforts during disasters. Info
International Medical Corps. This nonprofit sends medical teams to areas stricken by disaster. It’s taking donations on its website to provide health care and supplies to Hurricane Dorian victims. Info
National Association of The Bahamas. This nonprofit is taking donations for a hurricane relief fund that will be used to help with victims’ immediate needs, including food, clothing and basic toiletries. Info
Royal Caribbean International. The cruise line has partnered with the Pan American Development Foundation to match donations up to $500,000; donations will provide disaster relief and reconstruction for Bahamians in areas affected by Hurricane Dorian. One of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships has been delivering meals and supplies to survivors on Grand Bahama island, according to the Bahamas government. Info
The Salvation Army. The group is taking disaster relief donations online for its work providing emergency help to storm survivors and first responders. Info
Team Rubicon. This nonprofit group uses the skills and experience mainly of military veterans to deploy emergency response teams during natural disasters around the world. For Hurricane Dorian, it’s identifying areas where help clearing roads is needed, and is removing debris. It has also deployed a medical response team to provide emergency aid to survivors. Donations help support the team aiding in the response. Info
United Way of Miami-Dade. The group has set up Operation Helping Hands to help victims of Hurricane Dorian with relief, rebuilding and recovery. It is working on short- and long-term recovery with other local United Way groups and nonprofits in the affected areas. The group is taking donations online and by phone (800-226-3320). Info
YachtAid Global. This nonprofit organization works with yachts in the region to coordinate support to coastal communities following disasters. It has set up Operation Topaz to bring emergency supplies such as food, tarps, hygiene kits and medicine to Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. Info
These are just some of the groups providing assistance to victims of the hurricane. Use caution when donating money to groups. Charity Navigator evaluates and rates charitable groups, and has assembled a list of Hurricane Dorian aid organizations that it rates highly. The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance also offers guidance.
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The Humane Society of the United States. The Humane Society coordinated evacuations of animals out of shelters in Hurricane Dorian’s path on the East Coast. It is taking donations for its Emergency Animal Rescue Fund, which supports animal care efforts during disasters. Info
International Medical Corps. This nonprofit sends medical teams to areas stricken by disaster. It’s taking donations on its website to provide health care and supplies to Hurricane Dorian victims. Info
National Association of The Bahamas. This nonprofit is taking donations for a hurricane relief fund that will be used to help with victims’ immediate needs, including food, clothing and basic toiletries. Info
Royal Caribbean International. The cruise line has partnered with the Pan American Development Foundation to match donations up to $500,000; donations will provide disaster relief and reconstruction for Bahamians in areas affected by Hurricane Dorian. One of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships has been delivering meals and supplies to survivors on Grand Bahama island, according to the Bahamas government. Info
The Salvation Army. The group is taking disaster relief donations online for its work providing emergency help to storm survivors and first responders. Info
Team Rubicon. This nonprofit group uses the skills and experience mainly of military veterans to deploy emergency response teams during natural disasters around the world. For Hurricane Dorian, it’s identifying areas where help clearing roads is needed, and is removing debris. It has also deployed a medical response team to provide emergency aid to survivors. Donations help support the team aiding in the response. Info
United Way of Miami-Dade. The group has set up Operation Helping Hands to help victims of Hurricane Dorian with relief, rebuilding and recovery. It is working on short- and long-term recovery with other local United Way groups and nonprofits in the affected areas. The group is taking donations online and by phone (800-226-3320). Info
YachtAid Global. This nonprofit organization works with yachts in the region to coordinate support to coastal communities following disasters. It has set up Operation Topaz to bring emergency supplies such as food, tarps, hygiene kits and medicine to Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands. Info
These are just some of the groups providing assistance to victims of the hurricane. Use caution when donating money to groups. Charity Navigator evaluates and rates charitable groups, and has assembled a list of Hurricane Dorian aid organizations that it rates highly. The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance also offers guidance.
More on Houzz
How to Protect Your Home From a Natural Disaster
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
American Red Cross. The Red Cross is providing first aid, shelter and transportation for storm victims in the Bahamas and providing shelter to Bahamian evacuees in Florida. You can make donations online, by phone or by mail to help victims of Hurricane Dorian. Info
Americares. The nonprofit organization has an emergency team in the Bahamas assessing health needs, preparing emergency shipments of medicine and relief supplies, and coordinating with national and local organizations responding to the crisis. Info
Best Friends Animal Society. This pet-related nonprofit has an emergency response team helping transport storm-displaced pets between animal shelters in U.S. areas affected by Hurricane Dorian. Info
Catholic Relief Services. Donations help this group deliver food and safe drinking water to families affected by the hurricane, and to provide emergency shelter. Info
Center for Disaster Philanthropy. This nonprofit, which focuses on disaster management and grant-making, has set up the CDP 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund, targeted toward medium- and long-term recovery. Info
Direct Relief. This humanitarian aid organization is delivering medical kits and providing aid to hurricane-affected areas in the Bahamas. Info
GoFundMe. The online fundraising platform has several money-raising campaigns for Hurricane Dorian victims, including campaigns by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Atlantis resort, chef José Andrés and a local animal shelter. Info
Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation. This foundation was set up by the Grand Bahama Port Authority, which is the port development agency for Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. Donations to the foundation will be used for relief and recovery efforts on Grand Bahama. Info
Greater Miami Jewish Federation. The federation has established an Emergency Relief Fund to assist those affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and other affected areas. Donations can be made online, or checks can be mailed to Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Florida 33137; write “Hurricane Dorian” on your check. Info