Here Are 8 Ways to Donate to Victims of Hurricanes Irma and José

The Caribbean is hit. Florida is evacuating. You can help.

September 8, 2017 9:00 am

Updated September 11
Hurricane Irma made landfall throughout Florida over the weekend. While the 
New York Times and other outlets are reporting less damage than expected, many cities have nonetheless experienced massive flooding, wind damage and property destruction — the scale of which is still to be determind. Florida-specific organizations have been added below.

Hurricane Harvey victims are only two weeks into a years-long rebuilding process, after the storm made landfall twice.

But this weekend, Florida, the Caribbean and potentially other areas are being hit by two separate hurricanes: Irma and José, both category 4 storms as of Friday afternoon.

The destruction so far has been catastrophic. According to the New York Times, at least 20 people have died. And on St. Martin, a small island east of Puerto Rico, “an official said 95 percent of the island was destroyed.”

Here are places across the region you can donate to now that you may not already be aware of.

To Florida food banks …
Feeding Florida
Every dollar will be directed to our statewide food banks to provide food and supplies to those impacted by Hurricane Irma.”

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
“Second Harvest works closely with Feeding Florida, State and County Emergency Operations Centers and other local agencies to pinpoint the areas of need in each county.”

To children …
UNICEF
“UNICEF will help ensure that affected children and families can get clean water, that there are safe spaces for children, that education and health services can continue, and that basic humanitarian supplies are distributed.”

Save the Children
“When you donate to Hurricane Irma, your generous support will help us protect vulnerable children and provide desperately needed relief to families who need it most.”

To women and girls … 
United Nations Population Fund
In the aftermath of the storms, UNFPA is providing basic hygiene kits for women and girls, support for pregnant women and other similar services.

To a trusted Caribbean response team … 
Oxfam
“Oxfam has worked in the Caribbean region for over 30 years and has expert teams supporting a network of local partners providing safe water and sanitation for those people most vulnerable after an emergency.”

To the entire region …
Global Giving
“This fund will provide relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild.”

Americares
“Right now we’re responding to the urgent needs of people in Hurricane Irma’s path. We’re also still in Texas, distributing water, aid and mobilizing medical outreach with our local partners.”

Center for Disaster Philanthropy
“In response to the needs that will arise following this devastating storm, the CDP Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund will focus on medium and long-term rebuilding needs.”

To smaller island nations … 
Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross
“The operational priority is to keep people safe while providing shelter, food and comfort to people in this time of need.”

Photo courtesy of LIONEL CHAMOISEAU/AFP/Getty Images

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.