USADWEB Donates to Hurricane Relief

From: USADNEWS Volume XI, Issue 7

USADWEB has contributed to relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which swept across Florida and the Caribbean Islands. Our hearts and prayers go out to our clients and friends who have been affected by these devastating storms. The Washington Post reports that the University of Wisconsin’s Space Science and Engineering Center has categorized Hurricane Harvey as a 1-in-1,000-year flood event. The long-term impacts of this storm are still unknown. The Atlantic reports that Hurricane Irma is the strongest ever measured in the open Atlantic Ocean, producing 185 mile-per-hour winds as it tore through the Florida Keys and surrounding areas. Irma reached a Category 5, and encompassed an area larger than the state of Ohio. This ferocious storm was followed closely by Hurricane Maria, a Category 3 storm that ravaged Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and left the entire island of Puerto Rico without power. Relief efforts have been slow in Puerto Rico because the storm washed out bridges and highways and knocked out cellphone towers and radio antennas across the island. According to the Washington Post, these Caribbean islands have not seen storms of this magnitude in 80 years. The damage is still being assessed, and help is desperately needed.

USADWEB urges all who are able to contribute to the disaster relief and recovery efforts. We recommend that everyone conduct their own research before contributing to any organization. Charity Navigator is a helpful resource for researching and selecting the most appropriate charities to support. A few charities are listed below. The NY Times also provides a comprehensive list of Harvey relief organizations. The Miami Herald offers a list of organizations that are accepting donations for victims of Hurricane Irma, particularly those in the Florida Keys. NBC News provides suggestions on ways to help in Puerto Rico.

  • All Hands is a nonprofit with staff on the ground in Texas, Florida, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was recommended to Vox News by disasterologist Samantha Montano and has a 4/4 rating with Charity Navigator.
  • Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has established a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund through the Greater Houston Community Foundation. The fund has not yet been rated by Charity Navigator.
  • The American Red Cross is also assisting with relief efforts for Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The Red Cross works in coordination with government and non-profit partners to set up shelters and distribute supplies. The Red Cross has a 3 out of 4 rating with Charity Navigator.
  • Americares is focused on providing medicine, emergency supplies, and essential resources to first responders. It has a 4/4 rating on Charity Navigator.
  • The Hispanic Federation, with a 4/4 rating on Charity Navigator, has created Unidos, an emergency fund to raise money for relief in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
  • Save the Children has 3 out of 4 stars on Charity Navigator. It is leading relief efforts for families and children displaced by the hurricanes.