How We Can Help Those Affected By Hurricane Irma

Barely two weeks after Harvey unleashed its destruction on Texas and Louisiana, Irma has been ravaging the Caribbean and Florida. Last week, it became the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, with Category 5 winds that were up to 185 MPH. We’ve compiled a list of organizations on the front lines helping the victims of this severe storm.

It bears repeating that if you are able to make a monetary donation, that is preferable than sending stuff, as items like clothing, blankets, and food need to be managed and sorted by volunteers who have often other, more pressing tasks to handle.

Here are a few organizations that will put any monetary donation to good use:

• Feeding Florida: The state’s hunger relief organization is assisting food banks to feed those in need, according to PBS.
• Oxfam: The organization has had a presence in the Caribbean for 30 plus years, and is working with local groups to provide clean water and sanitation to Haiti, Dominican Republic, and other places affected by Irma.
• Americares: “We anticipate the needs in Florida will be similar to those in Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. We will help address urgent health and medical needs, provide medicine and supplies for displaced families and help restore health services,” Vice President of Emergency Response Garrett Ingoglia says.
• Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity is working with its local offices in Florida and the Caribbean to inspect damage from Hurricane Irma and is positioning response equipment to be used for post-disaster recovery. Their long-term post-disaster recovery efforts include repair of damaged homes and construction of new affordable homes.
• GoFundMe: The crowdfunding platform has created a Hurricane Irma fund, or you can donate to one of the vetted individual campaigns listed on the page.
• South Florida Wildlife Center: The New York Times listed this organization along with the ASPCA and other animal related charities for those looking to help non-humans.
• CharityNavigator: If you’re worried about scams, donate to one of the highly rated groups on this watchdog site.
• GlobalGiving: The site has set up an Irma relief fund.

If you’re able to volunteer or help out in another way, here are some options:

• Airbnb is currently looking for hosts to offer shelter to evacuees, with options as far north as North Carolina.
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) is registering people to be volunteers in Florida, Puerto Rico, and USVI. They remind people not to self-deploy and go to these places without first being contacted to do so, as it puts strain on the first responders.
• You can donate blood at a local Red Cross blood donation center.

We would like to say thanks to you, the Apartment Therapy community, for always being ready to jump in with your support. Please add any additional organizations or information in the comments below!