How to Help Puerto Rico Recover From Hurricane Maria and Get the US Government to Do the Same [updated]
We cannot all be a Pit Bull who sent his private jet to Puerto Rico to transport cancer patients to the mainland for medical care. But there are many ways that ordinary people can help in helping a hurricane-stricken island.
Nonprofits and volunteer organizations are a vital part of your recovery efforts, but do you know who else should be helped? US government damn it. So, the first thing you can do to help is call (or fax, or otherwise contact) your senator and representatives to ask them to compete for federal aid for Puerto Rico. Things are changing fast, but at the time of posting there are specific questions to ask about:
- Push for new legislation to allow for a second round of disaster relief funding as soon as possible.
- Temporarily suspend Section 27 of the Jones Act.
- The White House should designate a contact person to coordinate the response.
You can reach your Senators and Representatives through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or call their regional offices in your state. There is a whole script in the @Celeste_pewter action items font on Twitter, and you can check her graph for updates.
Many cities also organize supply promotions. The Latin American Federation is collecting donations in New York, and the South Florida Puerto Rican Leadership Council is collecting donations in Miami . MedShare collects supplies in Decatur, Georgia, San Leandro, California, and Secaucus, New Jersey.
Given the challenges of delivering supplies to the devastated island, the best option might be to donate funds to a charity that is responding to the crisis so they can pay for their supplies – which they can buy in bulk – and fund their work. (While you are responding to a particular crisis, consider not directing your donation to Puerto Rico. Learn more about why here .) As always, first see if your employer matches the donation.
Where to donate
Americares provides medicines and medical supplies and responds to recovery needs as they arise.
The Catholic Relief Service is working with local organizations to “provide shelter, water and basic necessities, including tarps, tents, and hygiene and cooking supplies, to families affected by these disasters.”
Convoy of Hope , another religious organization, provides food, water and basic necessities.
GlobalGiving is a global crowdfunding network (rated four stars by Charity Navigator). Their Caribbean Hurricane Recovery Fund includes essentials and long-term recovery and recovery by channeling donations to trusted local organizations.
The Latin American Federation created Unidos, a disaster relief fund for Puerto Rico and Mexico.
The International Medical Corps offers emergency relief and long-term education programs to help communities recover from natural disasters.
Mercy Corps responds to crises with immediate and long-term recovery support. In Puerto Rico, they work with local organizations with a focus on helping families and children.
Oxfam supports relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and is also advocating in Washington for increased support for recovery.
Project Sato rescues displaced and stray dogs and takes them to shelters outside Puerto Rico.
Unidos por Puerto Rico was launched by Beatrice Rossello, First Lady of Puerto Rico, “with the aim of helping and supporting those affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.”
Updated 10/4/17 10:00 AM: Since this post was first published, Oxfam and Mercy Corps have joined the relief effort – their information has been added above.