Hurricane Maria: How You Can Help the People of Puerto Rico
Want to donate to aid storm victims in the Caribbean? Here are groups assisting with disaster relief and recovery
Hurricane Maria has created a humanitarian crisis for the 3.5 million people on Puerto Rico, with power outages, damaged buildings and flooding affecting recovery efforts. Here are some ways to donate or volunteer to help the island’s hurricane victims, as well as those on other islands devastated by Maria and earlier hurricanes. (Use caution when making disaster-aid donations to be sure a group is legitimate. Sites such as Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org can help.)
A Puerto Rico National Guard soldier helps a couple getting away from the flooded areas in Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico, after Maria. Photo by Sgt. Jose Ahiram Diaz-Ramos/PRNG-PAO
One America Appeal. This fundraising initiative was launched by the five living former U.S. presidents to provide aid for Hurricane Harvey. The appeal for funding now includes hurricanes Irma and Maria. Funds will be distributed to United for Puerto Rico and the Fund for the Virgin Islands. Info
Catholic Relief Services. Donations help provide shelter, water and supplies that include tarps, tents and hygiene and kitchen kits. Info
All Hands Volunteers. This volunteer-based nonprofit group donates time and expertise to people affected by natural disasters. Their team in the U.S. Virgin Islands plans to build schools and clear routes to several natural springs for hurricane victims without potable water. Info
Direct Relief. This nonprofit group focuses on health issues for those in need, along with emergency response to natural disasters. Their Hurricane Maria relief effort will focus on restoring health facilities. Info
One America Appeal. This fundraising initiative was launched by the five living former U.S. presidents to provide aid for Hurricane Harvey. The appeal for funding now includes hurricanes Irma and Maria. Funds will be distributed to United for Puerto Rico and the Fund for the Virgin Islands. Info
Catholic Relief Services. Donations help provide shelter, water and supplies that include tarps, tents and hygiene and kitchen kits. Info
All Hands Volunteers. This volunteer-based nonprofit group donates time and expertise to people affected by natural disasters. Their team in the U.S. Virgin Islands plans to build schools and clear routes to several natural springs for hurricane victims without potable water. Info
Direct Relief. This nonprofit group focuses on health issues for those in need, along with emergency response to natural disasters. Their Hurricane Maria relief effort will focus on restoring health facilities. Info
Homes and vegetation show the effects of the hurricane in Dominica. Photo from Roosevelt Skerrit
Go Fund Me. The fundraising platform has a page devoted to campaigns raising funds to assist victims of Hurricane Maria. It also has its own Direct Impact Fund accepting tax-deductible donations to support individuals with verified GoFundMe campaigns. Info
Hispanic Federation UNIDOS Disaster Relief Fund. The Hispanic Federation focuses on issues affecting Latinos and has launched the UNIDOS disaster relief fund to help families recover from Hurricane Maria and also the recent earthquake in Mexico City. Info
Hispanics in Philanthropy. The funds raised by this nonprofit that benefits Latino communities will go to on-site nonprofits such as Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico and Red de Fundaciones de Puerto Rico. Info
UNICEF. Donations to UNICEF USA’s hurricane relief effort will supply kits with essential supplies to disaster victims. Info
Go Fund Me. The fundraising platform has a page devoted to campaigns raising funds to assist victims of Hurricane Maria. It also has its own Direct Impact Fund accepting tax-deductible donations to support individuals with verified GoFundMe campaigns. Info
Hispanic Federation UNIDOS Disaster Relief Fund. The Hispanic Federation focuses on issues affecting Latinos and has launched the UNIDOS disaster relief fund to help families recover from Hurricane Maria and also the recent earthquake in Mexico City. Info
Hispanics in Philanthropy. The funds raised by this nonprofit that benefits Latino communities will go to on-site nonprofits such as Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico and Red de Fundaciones de Puerto Rico. Info
UNICEF. Donations to UNICEF USA’s hurricane relief effort will supply kits with essential supplies to disaster victims. Info
Puerto Rico National Guard soldiers and volunteers from the Puerto Rico State Guard clear roads at Punta Santiago in Humacao, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 27. Photo by SPC Hamiel Irizarry, The National Guard
National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce. The nonprofit chamber is sending satellite phones, food, medicine generators and LifeStraw water purification products to Puerto Rico. Info
GlobalGiving. Contributions to this group’s fund will provide emergency supplies such as food, water and medicine to victims in the Caribbean. Info
Save the Children. This nonprofit is directing its relief efforts to assist children in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic who were affected by Hurricane Maria. Info
United Way. The organization has created the United Way Irma/Maria Recovery Fund as a clearinghouse for local United Way groups. Info
Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is delivering more than 5,000 meals and 8,000 relief supplies per day in Puerto Rico, and distributing water, cleaning kits and food to the most remote and poor sections of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Info
National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce. The nonprofit chamber is sending satellite phones, food, medicine generators and LifeStraw water purification products to Puerto Rico. Info
GlobalGiving. Contributions to this group’s fund will provide emergency supplies such as food, water and medicine to victims in the Caribbean. Info
Save the Children. This nonprofit is directing its relief efforts to assist children in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic who were affected by Hurricane Maria. Info
United Way. The organization has created the United Way Irma/Maria Recovery Fund as a clearinghouse for local United Way groups. Info
Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is delivering more than 5,000 meals and 8,000 relief supplies per day in Puerto Rico, and distributing water, cleaning kits and food to the most remote and poor sections of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Info
Red Cross volunteers distribute water, blankets, diapers and other basic necessities to families affected by Hurricane Maria in Toa Baja, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Photo by Luis Rivera for The American Red Cross
Aaron Stewart Home, an interior design firm, home store and Houzz pro in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recommends donating to the following nonprofit groups.
ConPRmetidos. The local nonprofit group has a Hurricane Maria relief fund, organized and managed in conjunction with the nonprofit Foundation for Puerto Rico. Funds currently are going to needs-assessment efforts, long-term structural repairs to the most vulnerable communities and power as a service. Info
Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico This group created an Impact Fund to rebuild its communities and bring relief to families affected by the storm. The fund also will help repair the group’s facilities and open its clubs. Info
The Sato Project. Hurricane Maria made landfall at Dead Dog Beach, where the dog rescue group has focuses its efforts for the past six years. The group is mobilizing to provide supplies and support to its team and transport dogs to safety. Info
Share: Have you or your loved ones or friends been affected by Maria? Please offer your thoughts and advice on how people can help in the Comments.
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Aaron Stewart Home, an interior design firm, home store and Houzz pro in San Juan, Puerto Rico, recommends donating to the following nonprofit groups.
ConPRmetidos. The local nonprofit group has a Hurricane Maria relief fund, organized and managed in conjunction with the nonprofit Foundation for Puerto Rico. Funds currently are going to needs-assessment efforts, long-term structural repairs to the most vulnerable communities and power as a service. Info
Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico This group created an Impact Fund to rebuild its communities and bring relief to families affected by the storm. The fund also will help repair the group’s facilities and open its clubs. Info
The Sato Project. Hurricane Maria made landfall at Dead Dog Beach, where the dog rescue group has focuses its efforts for the past six years. The group is mobilizing to provide supplies and support to its team and transport dogs to safety. Info
Share: Have you or your loved ones or friends been affected by Maria? Please offer your thoughts and advice on how people can help in the Comments.
More
Hurricane Irma: How You Can Help
Hurricane Harvey: How You Can Help
Read more stories about disaster recovery
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
American Red Cross. The Red Cross has employees and volunteers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands deploying emergency shelters and distributing food and supplies. Info
United for Puerto Rico. This organization formed by Puerto Rico Gov. Roberto Roselló’s wife, Beatriz Rosselló, is providing aid for residents affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Cash donations go directly to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Info