Hurricane Irma: How You Can Help
You can assist people in Florida, the Caribbean and elsewhere with donations to these groups providing storm relief
Florida residents load up sandbags to protect against flooding before the storm. Photo from CityofStPete
National VOAD. National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an association of faith-based, community-based and other national and state disaster relief organizations. Its website offers links to groups assisting storm victims and information on how to donate or volunteer. Info
National VOAD. National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is an association of faith-based, community-based and other national and state disaster relief organizations. Its website offers links to groups assisting storm victims and information on how to donate or volunteer. Info
Flooding in Clay County, Florida. Photo by Tim Donovan, Florida Fish and Wildlife
American Red Cross. The group provides shelters, food, water, blood, volunteer support and more to those affected by disasters. It is assisting victims of Irma in six states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Info
GlobalGiving. The international nonprofit directs funds to vetted local organizations. Its Hurricane Irma Relief Fund will provide emergency supplies such as food, water and medicine, as well as long-term recovery assistance. Info
Save the Children. This group assists children and families affected by disasters, providing supplies and equipment such as cribs, strollers and diapers, and helping with long-term needs. Info
United Way of Miami-Dade: The nonprofit agency has launched Operation Helping Hands to bring relief and recovery aid to hurricane victims. Info
American Red Cross. The group provides shelters, food, water, blood, volunteer support and more to those affected by disasters. It is assisting victims of Irma in six states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Info
GlobalGiving. The international nonprofit directs funds to vetted local organizations. Its Hurricane Irma Relief Fund will provide emergency supplies such as food, water and medicine, as well as long-term recovery assistance. Info
Save the Children. This group assists children and families affected by disasters, providing supplies and equipment such as cribs, strollers and diapers, and helping with long-term needs. Info
United Way of Miami-Dade: The nonprofit agency has launched Operation Helping Hands to bring relief and recovery aid to hurricane victims. Info
A mother and child are among those airlifted off St. Maarten by the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing. Photo from the New York National Guard
Catholic Relief Services. The agency is providing emergency shelter, water and critical supplies to families in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Info
Islamic Relief USA. The group’s disaster response team is assisting with short- and long-term recovery efforts. Info
Jewish Federations of North America. The group has a Hurricane Irma Relief Fund to help hurricane victims with food, medicine and long-term services like trauma counseling. Info
Salvation Army. The international aid group assists people around the world. Its disaster relief team offers shelter, food and more to hurricane victims. Info
Samaritan’s Purse. The group mobilizes staff, equipment and volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of natural disasters. It is aiding with cleanup efforts in Florida. Info
Tzu Chi. Volunteers from the international humanitarian aid organization have been providing disaster relief and cash cards to hurricane victims. Info
Catholic Relief Services. The agency is providing emergency shelter, water and critical supplies to families in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Info
Islamic Relief USA. The group’s disaster response team is assisting with short- and long-term recovery efforts. Info
Jewish Federations of North America. The group has a Hurricane Irma Relief Fund to help hurricane victims with food, medicine and long-term services like trauma counseling. Info
Salvation Army. The international aid group assists people around the world. Its disaster relief team offers shelter, food and more to hurricane victims. Info
Samaritan’s Purse. The group mobilizes staff, equipment and volunteers to provide emergency aid to victims of natural disasters. It is aiding with cleanup efforts in Florida. Info
Tzu Chi. Volunteers from the international humanitarian aid organization have been providing disaster relief and cash cards to hurricane victims. Info
Animals are cared for in a shelter in St. Petersburg, Florida, before the hurricane. Photo from CityofStPete
ASPCA. The nonprofit is in Florida and South Carolina assisting local emergency agencies and animal shelters. Info
Best Friends. The group is helping to reunite pets with families and find homes for animals, and is assisting rescue groups and shelters in Florida and other affected areas. Info
South Florida Wildlife Center. The group rescues, shelters, provides veterinary care for and rehabilitates displaced, injured and orphaned animals. Info
ASPCA. The nonprofit is in Florida and South Carolina assisting local emergency agencies and animal shelters. Info
Best Friends. The group is helping to reunite pets with families and find homes for animals, and is assisting rescue groups and shelters in Florida and other affected areas. Info
South Florida Wildlife Center. The group rescues, shelters, provides veterinary care for and rehabilitates displaced, injured and orphaned animals. Info
Supplies arrive in Haiti before the hurricane. Photo by Garry Calixte for the American Red Cross
All Hands Volunteers. This group works with volunteers, partner organizations and communities to help homeowners affected by natural disasters. It helps communities rebuild homes, schools, day care facilities and community centers. It is focusing its post-Irma efforts on the U.S. Virgin Islands. Info
Americares. The organization has a hurricane relief fund and is assisting victims of Irma and Harvey with aid, medicine and basic supplies. Info
Center for Disaster Philanthropy. The CDP’s Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund will focus on the medium- and long-term recovery needs of hurricane survivors in the U.S. and Caribbean. Info
Direct Relief. The international aid group is providing medical assistance, medicine and other supplies to Florida and the countries throughout the Caribbean. Info
Oxfam America. Oxfam and its Caribbean partner organizations are helping people hardest hit by Irma. Info
Unicef. The children’s aid group is assisting hurricane victims in the Caribbean. Info
All Hands Volunteers. This group works with volunteers, partner organizations and communities to help homeowners affected by natural disasters. It helps communities rebuild homes, schools, day care facilities and community centers. It is focusing its post-Irma efforts on the U.S. Virgin Islands. Info
Americares. The organization has a hurricane relief fund and is assisting victims of Irma and Harvey with aid, medicine and basic supplies. Info
Center for Disaster Philanthropy. The CDP’s Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund will focus on the medium- and long-term recovery needs of hurricane survivors in the U.S. and Caribbean. Info
Direct Relief. The international aid group is providing medical assistance, medicine and other supplies to Florida and the countries throughout the Caribbean. Info
Oxfam America. Oxfam and its Caribbean partner organizations are helping people hardest hit by Irma. Info
Unicef. The children’s aid group is assisting hurricane victims in the Caribbean. Info
Florida National Guard soldiers visit homes in the Jacksonville, Florida, area around Ortega Island on Sept. 11 after Hurricane Irma. Photo from the Florida National Guard
Airbnb. The accommodations company has a page showing hosts who are opening their homes for free to displaced neighbors and relief workers deployed to help. Info
GoFundMe. The fundraising platform has a Direct Impact Fund and a page devoted to Hurricane Irma relief fundraisers. Info
Airbnb. The accommodations company has a page showing hosts who are opening their homes for free to displaced neighbors and relief workers deployed to help. Info
GoFundMe. The fundraising platform has a Direct Impact Fund and a page devoted to Hurricane Irma relief fundraisers. Info
Fort Myers, Florida, on Sept. 7. Photo by Daniel Cima for the American Red Cross
Share: Have you or your loved ones or friends been affected by Harvey? Please offer your thoughts, photos and advice on how people can help in the Comments.
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Share: Have you or your loved ones or friends been affected by Harvey? Please offer your thoughts, photos and advice on how people can help in the Comments.
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Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help
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This story was updated Sept. 14.
Although Hurricane Irma did not, thankfully, result in the widespread destruction that had been feared, it devastated parts of the Caribbean and Florida, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Florida Keys. And millions across Florida and other parts of the southeastern U.S. will be dealing with power outages, displacement and flooding for days or weeks to come.
You can help by donating money to relief agencies that are providing aid and support to the hard-hit areas. Below are some of the groups assisting victims of Hurricane Irma (many are also helping victims of Harvey). As always, be careful to direct your contributions to legitimate groups. Sites such as Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org can help with vetting.