Florida Aid and Flood Relief
Our prayers and thoughts are with the families and communities affected by Hurricane Irma that followed closely upon the heels of Hurricane Harvey. At its peak, the Category 5 Irma brought flooding and wind gusts of over 200 mph to the Carribean. Now Florida and our neighbors further south need our help.
Over 6 million Floridians were forced to evacuate, while some 70,000 took refuge in shelters. To the south, Irma devastated many islands in the Caribbean whose populations now face food and water shortages. There was also a human toll as families lost loved ones in the Florida and the Caribbean.
An estimated 1.2 million person have already been affected by Hurricane Irma, according to the Red Cross, and that number could rise to 26 million. In Florida alone, power is still being restored. As a populace, we’ve experienced trials and great difficulties with back to back storms, but with faith, patience, and collaborative work, we will recover. The best way to help is financially with a contribution. We encourage you to contribute and give volunteer time helping neighbors. CWSC will following the conclusion of its current National Radio-Telethon make its own flood relief contributions.
To assist with Florida Relief, here are some assisting charities and organizations based on Charity Navigator rankings for their charitable effectiveness and efficiency:
Volunteer Florida is looking for volunteers to work in the state’s shelters and other disaster relief organizations. You can register and find out more here.
• Florida’s hunger relief organization, Feeding Florida, is working with food banks across the state to feed those in need.
• Americares is accepting donations on its website.
• Sign up on Habitat for Humanity‘s Hurricane Recovery Volunteer Registry or make a donation help to rebuild homes after Irma passes.
• Islamic Relief USA Donations made toward IRUSA’s U.S. Humanitarian Aid fund in excess of the support requirements for this particular emergency may be used to support other important emergency or long-term work across the region.
• Convoy of Hope is sending food and emergency supplies and help to victims of Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Haiti, and Cuba.
• Save the Children is helping children and families affected by the storms and setting up child play spaces in shelters.
• Oxfam is working to provide clean water and sanitation.
• Salvation Army is setting up emergency shelters.
• American Red Cross has opened shelters in Florida and are sending supplies and volunteers to the state. You can donate online or text “IRMA” to 90999 to chip in $10, or get started in volunteering your services here.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
• Animal Care. Of course, it’s not just humans who need assistance. Animal welfare organizations like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Best Friends Animal Society, and the South Florida Wildlife Center have all put out calls for donations.
• Crowdfunding site You can contribute here.
We are not an endorsing agency, and the following information is provided as a community service only. See also Hurricane Harvey Relief.
We recommend visiting Charity Navigator and Guidestar charity information services if you wish additional information on any charity or relief agency.
Beyond Our Borders
For those who can extend your charity beyond our borders to help our fellow hemispheric neighbors affected by Hurrican Irma, see below organizations helping in the most heavily affected areas of the Caribbean.
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is looking for volunteers to help in their work in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can register here. Catholic Charities is providing on-the-ground assistance to Hurricane Irma communities.
Local Caribbean organizations: Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross, Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico, Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, St. John Community Foundation, BVI Recovery Fund, Anguilla Beaches, and the Netherlands Red Cross.
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND (EAF) Company Name and Address CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA) Resilience Way, Lower Estate, St. Michael Barbados, West Indies
Bank Details Intermediary Bank: Bank Wells Fargo Bank, NA SWIFT Code PNBPUS3NNYC ABA Routing # 026 005 092 Bank Address 11 Penn Plaza, 4th Floor, New York, NY
Beneficiary Bank: Bank CIBC First Caribbean International Bank Swift Code FCIBBBBB Account Number 2000192003913 Bank Address
Rendezvous, Christ Church, Barbados
For donations being made in USD$ 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: Account Details: Name of Account Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency Account Number 3666589 Currency of Account BARBADOS DOLLARS.