Read the original article here: UPDATED: How to help the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria | MEP Publishers (Trinidad & Tobago) http://www.meppublishers.com/content/index.php/how-to-help-our-caribbean-neighbours-affected-by-hurricane-irma/#ixzz4wlrWeykS
Relief efforts are ongoing in Antigua & Barbuda, Anguilla, St Maarten & St Martin, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Turks & Caicos, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, St Barthelemy, Saba and St Eustatius
We’ve done our due diligence to determine the most reputable organisations dedicated to specifically assisting our Caribbean neighbours after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, rather than to more broad-based disaster relief funds where the target of our donations is less clear. Some of the options listed below are initiatives originating in particular countries, while others are based in affected territories. We have included how they describe their own efforts, and assurances they have made about how donations will be used. We’ve highlighted the organisations that are first responders or those which are at the front lines of co-ordinating efforts to support first responders on an ongoing basis. If there are others we have missed with a strong record of transparently delivering much-needed aid, please let us know. We will continue to update this list over the next several days.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), is the CARICOM entity established to oversee disaster management within the region. Their Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) has been activated to provide support.
They are have assessed the impact of Hurricane Irma and are assessing the impact of Hurricane Maria on several of CDEMA Participating States. Their membership includes Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Haiti, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis and Montserrat, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and the Turks & Caicos Islands.
While they thoroughly determine and respond to the needs of each territory, individuals and organisations who wish to make monetary donations to the relief efforts may do so through the Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF), either via their online donation form, or to the bank accounts listed below. NB: When making your donations/deposits, please specify ‘Irma and Maria Relief’.
Intermediary Bank:
Bank: Wells Fargo Bank, NA
SWIFT Code: PNBPUS3NNYC
ABA Routing: #026 005 092
Bank Address: 11 Penn Plaza, 4th Floor, New York, NY
Beneficiary Bank:
Bank: CIBC First Caribbean International Bank
Swift Code: FCIBBBBB
Account Number: 2000192003913
Bank Address: Rendezvous, Christ Church, Barbados
For donations being made in USD$ please use the bank details below:
Name of Account: Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
Account Number: 1333514
Currency of Account: UNITED STATES DOLLARS
For donations being made locally in BDS$, please use the bank details below:
Name of Account: Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
Account Number: 3666589
Currency of Account: BARBADOS DOLLARS
GlobalGiving
GlobalGiving has set up a Caribbean Hurricane Maria & Irma Relief Fund. Unlike their Hurricane Irma fund, which targeted both Florida and the Caribbean, this Irma and Maria fund will benefit the Caribbean exclusively. Global Giving says that the fund initially will help first responders meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter. Once initial relief work is complete, this fund will transition to support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted organisations responding to this disaster. GlobalGiving will post reports about how funds have been used and will email these reports to donors.
Dominica Hurricane Maria Relief Fund
To direct assistance where it is most needed, the government of Dominica has established the Dominica Hurricane Maria Relief Fund. Their website outlines how you can give much needed goods in kind, and how to make monetary donations in USD, CAD, Euros, and Pounds Sterling.
In and for Antigua & Barbuda…
- The Antigua & Barbuda Red Cross is accepting donations and volunteers. They emphasise that 100% of donations received will go towards relief efforts in Barbuda, and that any and all donations are always used for these purposes as their in-house fundraising efforts (First Aid classes, the Thrift Shop and corporate and other donations) cover overheads.
- TickeTing will be donating 100% of money received to the joint efforts of the National Office of Disaster Services and the Antigua & Barbuda Red Cross. They have opened up an “event” to accept donations; 100% of all donations will go towards hurricane relief efforts.
- The Antigua & Barbuda government has requested that those who are able and willing to house Barbudans who have been evacuated to call +1-268-464-5056. The government is taking donations of supplies and has set up bank accounts to accept monetary donations going towards the Barbuda Relief Fund.
- The Barbuda Post-Irma Relief Facebook Group is providing ongoing information about where and how to donate everything from canned goods to toiletries, clothes and bedding. For more: +1-268-788-3640.
Paws Antigua
PAWS (Protect Antiguan Animals with A Smile) has been organising efforts to tend to the abandoned pets and livestock left behind on Barbuda now that the island has been evacuated. A recent TIME article indicated that the dogs are turning feral. PAWS Antigua and the Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society are attempting to have the animals brought over to Antigua, reuniting them with their owners who are able to take them and finding new owners for those who cannot. What these organisations need most urgently is food and water. Donations can be made by buying pet food and dropping it off at the Stock Exchange, or purchasing from Larry’s Gas Station and leaving the receipt there stating it’s for the Barbudan animals. Water and drinking vessels needed too, as are usual supplies needed to care for the animals at their shelter (see below). For more, contact Hayley at (268) 724 8027 or paaws.antigua@gmail.com.
In Trinidad & Tobago…
• Habitat for Humanity (Trinidad & Tobago)
Habitat for Humanity Trinidad & Tobago has identified ADRA as their main partner in the response effort. ADRA is conducting field assessments to guide their fundraising initiative for Barbuda’s rebuilding. Donations can be made online at their website and to RBL Account #180482534101. Donations will be directed to purchase:
- Transitional shelter products like tarpaulins, plywood, hammers, nails etc
- Clean up kits with mops, disinfectant etc will come next
- Food and hygiene products for men, women and children
- They may also be asked to assist in the physical reconstruction of transitional or permanent shelters.
• ITNAC (Is there Not a Cause)
ITNAC is mobilising to offer their humanitarian assistance to Anguilla, Barbuda, Sint Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands (potentially expanding their activities to include other hard-hit territories). They are accepting donations for non-perishable food items, water, clothing, bedding, towels, baby supplies, toiletries, medical supplies, feminine hygeine supplies, and tarpaulin at a growing number of locations and through a growing number of partners. They are also accepting monetary donations via their Republic Bank account #510009446802, and online via YouCaring, and running several smaller fundraisers. They are calling as well for volunteers to help sort and package donations. For more, see the image below or call/WhatsApp 485-0377 or 394-2042.
• The Animal Welfare Network (AWN) and partners
AWN, Franco Trading, Sunnyview and Vinmer have already coordinated shipments of relief supplies for animals affected in Antigua & Barbuda. AWN is continuing to receive donations of dog and cat chow for subsequent shipments. These can be dropped at Vinmer Vet Clinic on Belmont Circular Rd (tel: 628-2773, ask for Gina).
• The Living Water Community
Living Water, working closely with the British Virgin Islands based Bishop Robert Llanos, initially focussed their relief efforts on Barbuda. They are now focussing on relief efforts in Dominica. They are accepting donations of bottled water, non-perishable food items, bedding (small mattresses, sheets, blankets, cots), toiletries and feminine hygeine products, and towels. towels, toiletries at two locations:
- their centre at 109 Frederick Street, Port of Spain (te: 623-5677)
- their warehouse in Frederick Settlement, Caroni (tel: 662-5404)
They are also accepting monetary donations, which can be made:
- by cheque at the Centre (see address above)
- to their RBC account #100091110130182 (branch: 19-21 Park Street, Port of Spain).
• The Trinidad & Tobago Red Cross Society
The T&T Red Cross, working in conjunction with sister organisations through the islands, will be collecting canned foods, water, baby supplies, toiletries, bedding, tarpaulin, and first aid kits Monday–Friday, 7:00am–4:00pm; and Saturdays 9:00am–1:00pm in Port of Spain (7a Fitzblackman Drive, Wrightson Rd), San Fernando (2 Ruth Avenue), and Tobago (Signal Hill). They are not accepting used clothing at this time. They are also collecting monetary donations, which can be deposited into their RBL bank account #180482517101.
In the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands for their overseas territories…
• The British Red Cross + UK Government
The British Red Cross has launched a Hurricane Emergency Appeal. They claim that up to 93% of the funds raised will be directed specifically to those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, through Red Cross societies across the Caribbean and to British Red Cross’ Overseas Branches in Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Volunteers have been mobilised in a multi-country effort, and are on the ground delivering first aid, shelter and water. The UK government has also pledged to match each £ raised through the British Red Cross, up to £3m, through DFID’s Aid Match scheme.
• The British Virgin Islands Community Support Appeal
The Virgin Group has pledged to support and assist the local community, with Virgin Unite, Unite BVI and Virgin Limited Edition working together with local organisations to identify the ongoing needs of affected individuals, families and communities impacted by this disaster. They claim that, with Richard Branson covering all Virgin Unite’s overheads, all donations will go directly to these efforts.
• French and Dutch Red Cross
The French and Dutch Red Cross chapters have also launched specific appeals to aid their overseas territories, including St Martin and Sint Maarten.
In the United States & for their overseas territories
Those in the US can make donations to any of the online initiatives above. Additionally:
- GlobalGiving’s Irma Relief Fund is targeting those affected by Irma in both the Caribbean and and the US, and distributing funds to first responders (sometimes international organisations) initially, before prioritising local organisations in the long term
- Hurricane Maria Community Relief & Recovery Fund: to be housed at the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD), their website claims that 100% of funds raised will be used to support immediate relief, recovery, and equitable rebuilding in Puerto Rico. The Fund is governed by organisations like Puerto Rico-based Taller Salud, the G8 of Caño Martín Peña among other local, grassroots initiatives
- Maria & Irma: Puerto Rico Real-time Recovery Fund was started after Hurricane Irma by the Puerto Rican diaspora non-profit ConPRmetidos; the group says that all donations will exclusively support the victims of the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, provide relief and aid the communities affected by this disaster (first for immediate needs of food, shelter and water and then transition to long term recovery efforts)
- Voices for Puerto Riceo (Voces por Puerto Rico): is an initiative by Puerto Rican artists in the diaspora, with a focus on supporting non-profit organisations that are already on the ground working. Their website claims there are no overheads, with all funds going to affected communities. Some beneficiaries: Niños de Nueva Esperanza in Toa Baja; Taller Salud; Casa Pueblo in Utuado. Funds will be handled through Roselyn Sanchez non profit organization RS Events For Life
- Services like Charity Navigator also may be helpful in selecting US-based organisations doing outreach in the islands and/or Florida.
