tumblricans:

cyberpanic:

Puerto Rico Donations

Hey guys so I just found out Puerto Rico is about to get hit by hurricane Maria so close after hurricane Irma so here’s two places where you can donate if you can to help Puerto Rico directly

https://www.fcpr.org/haz-tu-donativo/

https://www.generosity.com/emergencies-fundraising/maria-irma-puerto-rico-real-time-recovery-fund

https://hipgive.org/project/hurricane-irma-relief-fund/

Parecen legítima estas organizaciones. Si alguien encuentra lugares que están recibiendo donaciones para Puerto Rico, favor compartirlas.

(via jasjuliet)

amandavrc asked: Hello, Mod! I hope you're well. I'm from Caguas, Puerto Rico and I'd just like to let you know that, regarding Hurricane Irma, we're all okay. No major damage, thankfully. Only problem here is that some of us (including myself), have been without power or water for a couple days. Have a good day, and stay safe! Sending prayers to all the others in Irma's path.

Oh man that’s great to know, I’m so glad you’re alright I was so worried- I have a few good pals from Puerto Rico but even if I didn’t that Irma is a Big Mean Scary Thing and ain’t nobody deserve to have that landing on them. Huge love to you all and yeah I hope things pull through for everyone still facing this.

hedaclara:

hedaclara:

hedaclara:

Guys, the first images of Irma’s level of devastation are coming out of Barbuda and it’s heartbreaking. The President of Barbuda says that 90% of the island is uninhabitable, upwards of 60% of the TOTAL population are now homeless because the hurricane destroyed virtually every building and home on the island, and that the estimated damage is valued at no less than $200 million dollars. That’s money a small island like that doesn’t have. They’re saying it’s going to take years to rebuild and Hurricane Jose is right behind Irma on the same path which means they could be hit twice. This is just one of the islands being affected.

Please, show up for the Caribbean like you did for Houston. There is no safety net for any of these islands including mine. They’ll rely entirely on foreign aid. Find local charities or global trustworthy charities (NOT the Red Cross) and make a donation asking them to aid the Caribbean. There’s whole countries being turned into rubble with no financial means to repair their infrastructures. They’re going to need help.

For the hundreds of people replying or in my inbox asking “Why not the Red Cross?!”:

1. Google is free.
   
2. Why The Red Cross Faces Backlash on Harvey Relief Efforts [Washington Post]
3. Red Cross Built Exactly 6 Homes For Haiti With Nearly Half A Billion Dollars In Donations [Huffington Post]
   
4. Red Cross Exec Doesn’t Know What Portion Of Donations Go To Harvey Relief [NPR]
   
5. Report: Red Cross Spent 25 Percent Of Haiti Donations On Internal Expenses [NPR]
   
6. Seriously, guess where I found all of those in two solid minutes of searching? Google. Even better, they didn’t charge me a penny for it. 

Stop wanting things to be spoonfed to you. While you waited for someone to link you to sources, you could’ve done it yourself and already donated to people who desperately need it. 

Because people are also asking where to donate instead of the Red Cross:

1. MercyCorps [89% rating on Charity Navigator]
   
2. Heart To Heart International [97% rating on Charity Navigator]
3. Direct Relief [100% rating on Charity Navigator]
4. Habitat For Humanity [83% rating on Charity Navigator // Because with islands like Barbuda 90% destroyed and French St. Martin said to be 95% destroyed then people are going to need homes built]
5. Catholic Relief Services [90% rating on Charity Navigator // For those who would want to donate to a religious organization]

If there is a note or comments section on their donation page please do let them know that you would want your money to go to their Caribbean relief efforts. Houston and Florida have the US government backing them in whatever they will need but these islands will have very little except for these charities to fall back if they have any hope of rebuilding what seems to be entire countries in some cases. For the people who lost everything even a few bucks will go a long way. 

For the most part I would suggest staying away from privately launched GoFundMes unless you know the person directly. Ultimately, you just never know where those funds are going to end up and if your money will be used wisely. Sure, the same can be said for charity organizations but at least there is a better shot at possibly helping through them. The five listed above are world known and have been studied by charity oversight organizations. It’s as close to perfect as we’re going to get.

(via fablegate)

Hurricane Irma

thelovelylights:

This hurricane has officially hit a category 5. To give you an idea of the strength of this storm:

Harvey was a category 4.

Katrina and Andrew were a category 5 and Irma is at the moment is stronger than both of them.

This hurricane is going to cause absolute destruction when it hits. Puerto Rico (especially this beautiful isla)  Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Florida are all in it’s path. Here’s a checklist if you can afford these supplies.

Food

• Bottled Water- a week’s supply minimum (One gallon daily per person)
  
• Non perishable items that don’t require cooking ( Tuna, nuts, fruit cups, Cereal bars, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruits, canned vegetables, chili)
• Dry pet food 
• Packaged juices 
• Powdered or canned milk 

Supplies

• Manual can opener
  
• Toilet paper 
• Baby wipes ( this will make a great alternative for showers)
• Batteries ( AAA, AA, 6V, C, and D)
• Flash lights (if you have manual ones even better)
• Battery powered radio 
• Utility knife 
• Waterproof matches 
• 5 gallons of gas
• Tampons and pads 
• Portable phone charger fully charged)
• Sand bags (redirects water and debris flow)
• First aid kit
• Blankets 
• Rain gear - Ponchos, boots. (avoid umbrellas)
• Medications 
• Portable cooler

Documentation / Legal End

• A closed water proof sealed container
• Take pictures and send them to yourself in an email of the following: Drivers License, photo ID, social security numbers, medical insurance cards (of each person) 
  
• Take photos of everything! Insurance companies are not your friends. Email everything to yourself. 
• If you have young children and they are able to make sure they memorize your name, address, and phone number

Other tips: 

• Before the hurricane hits fill up the bath tubs in your house (extra water for flushing the toilet) 
  
• Bring any ornaments from outside inside 
• Trim trees
• Board your windows
• Have a secure room that you an pile everyone ( has to have no windows) 

if you have any questions message me. Keep safe mi gente xx 

(via starfleetrambo)