Hurricanes: What's Next? Teach-Out

2017's Category 4 and 5 hurricanes made landfall in the US and the Caribbean leaving millions homeless, with scores of fatalities and injuries across the region. The island of Barbuda had to be evacuated and remains on a path to recovery. The Florida Keys and parts of the Florida mainland were devastated by Irma, leaving many without power for days, leading to several deaths. In Dutch St. Martin, 90 percent of the buildings were damaged. Hurricane Maria killed several dozen people in Dominica — where even the prime minister was left homeless. The US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and Cuba were also seriously damaged, leaving many without access to shelter and indefinitely homeless. Finally, Puerto Rico was one of the hardest hit during the 2017 hurricane season, whereby some measures, upwards of 4,500 people lost their lives and recovery seems to be slower than many expected.

What Can I Do?

Below are some ways of helping to provide assistance to those in hurricane-stricken regions. The following organizations provide relief to those displaced and severely affected by the impact of hurricanes. The following list is drawn from many sources, including 2017's New York Times resource. Before giving money to any charity, please conduct some research so you are confident you know where your money is going.

National and Global Charities

Each group below has earned the top rating, four stars, from Charity Navigator, which grades charities based on transparency and financial health.

• AmeriCares - The relief and development organization, which provides health services to those in need responded to the U.S. Virgin Island as well as Puerto Rico in the wake of the 2017 hurricane season.
 
• Convoy of Hope - Another faith-based initiative, Convoy of Hope provides food, water and emergency supplies to those in need throughout the world.
 
• Direct Relief - Direct Relief reports that in 2018 they remain involved in providing support to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands hit by hurricanes in 2017.
 
• GlobalGiving - This crowdfunding website connects donors to nonprofits and companies around the world. Donations will be spent first on the immediate needs of victims and then on longer-term recovery efforts “run by local, vetted organizations,” according to the website.
 
• International Medical Corps - The group worked with local authorities to provide medical support in the wake of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma.
 
• One America Appeal - All five living former presidents have united to raise money for One America Appeal, a fund administered by the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation. A summary of their work is highlighted on their webpage.
 

Local Charities in the Caribbean

These are just a few local organizations that have vowed to help in recovery efforts. As discussed in detail below, it’s important to do your research before giving to any charity.

• Fund for the Virgin Islands - The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, a nonprofit, is collecting donations through this fund, which will be used “both to support short-term relief efforts and to enhance the well-being of future generations.”
 
• GoFundMe - The crowdfunding website maintains a list of campaigns, many of them local, collecting donations for victims of the storm. Donors can give to a campaign or directly to GoFundMe, which will then distribute the money to the campaigns.
 
• Unidos por Puerto Rico - This initiative, from Beatriz Rosselló, the first lady of Puerto Rico, enlists private sector help in providing aid to those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Donations are accepted through a variety of means, including PayPal.