How to Help Puerto Rico

Please note that I have no affiliation with any of these organizations. I have compiled this list of organizations that myself, colleagues, or friends had personal experience with. The goal is to bring attention to organizations that may not be receiving media attention, but that we know are working directly with and for communities in Puerto Rico. I hope this list can serve as a tool to help support Puerto Rico in its recovery and rebuilding following the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria. Feel free to share this document widely. --Vanessa Díaz, Dartmouth College

 

This Document Contains (in the following order):

  1. Reputable Puerto Rican Organizations To Donate To (both on/off the island, focusing on non-profit, community-based and oriented orgs with demonstrated history of working with PR communities)
  2. Specific items urgently needed in particular areas of PR (with relevant contact info--this is for those who are able to go to PR with goods, ship directly to PR, or get support from an organization to get these goods there)
  3. Local Specific-Item Donation Efforts on the U.S. Mainland
  4. Volunteer Organizations/Registration for Relief Work in Puerto Rico

 

*NOTE: Efforts to get necessary goods to PR requires work off the island, which is why orgs on the mainland that consistently serve the island (like National Boricua Human Rights Network in Chicago) are so important to support. Also, if you’re interested in volunteering, please register for one of the orgs below rather than just showing up on the island. It is important that relief efforts are organized during these difficult times.

 

Maria Fund (by Taller Salud, the G8 of Caño Martín Peña, and other local, grassroots organizations):

This fund is housed at the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD), and governed by organizations like Puerto Rico-based Taller Salud, the G8 of Caño Martín Peña, and other local, grassroots organizations http://www.mariafund.org

 

Institute for Socio Ecological Research (ISER) Caribe

My friend Ryan Hamilton is working with www.isercaribe.org to coordinate the purchasing of water filtration units of 60 gallon capacity that can be deployed in affected areas of Puerto Rico. They are also assisting in the delivery of bottled water, medical supplies, and other necessary items to the most neglected areas on the island. ISER Caribe is a recognized non profit so all your donations are tax deductible.

CUENTA DE BANCO /BANK ACCOUNT INFO

Institute for Socio Ecological Research Inc.

PO Box 3151

Lajas , PR 00667-3151

Via Cabo Rojo Coop

Routing Number 221582310

Account#/ NÚMERO DE CUENTA 1011724826

You can also click the “donate” button from their Facebook page to find their paypal link: https://www.facebook.com/isercaribe

If interested in contributing to this effort please don’t hesitate to contact ryanamhamilton@gmail.com with any questions

 

Puerto Rico Relief Flight (*this org saved my family members)

https://www.facebook.com/Puerto-Rico-Relief-Flight-1550677268301468/

*DONATE through PayPal: juanrmelendez@gmail.com

*To drop off donations and supplies you can contact Astrid Anduze at 561 252-1101 or Mari Melendez at 561-670-4324 (In West Palm Beach/FLL area).

This organization is airlifting supplies that will reach one of the areas most affected to by the hurricane, the northern part of the island, and bringing back family members who are in most need. *Also working with Royal Caribbean cruise ships to help small children and elderly in need get off the island. They are asking for monetary donations for aircraft gas and to buy boxed milk, toilet paper, batteries (they have especially asked for D), & solar powered cell chargers and battery-operated fans.

 

National Boricua Human Rights Network

http://boricuahumanrights.org/

Make checks payable to:

National Boricua Human Rights Network Chicago

Attn: Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund

PAYPAL: PRHurricaneRelief@boricuahumanrights.org

 

ViequesLove

https://www.gofundme.com/viequeslove

small grassroots org which is directly working in Vieques, PR (small island off east coast of PR, that is part of PR). There is NO gov't presence in Viques and they are the only ones who have been able to reach there with helicopters and drop over 5000 lbs of medical supplies and 8 satellite phones with local contacts. They have also medevacced out half a dozen critical patients and have raised money to continue these efforts. They will send another 5 private planes this week (9/29) alone with another 30000 lbs of emergency supplies. 

 

Fundación el Plato Caliente -- Food industry professionals are moving around the island feeding communities in need

Paypal.me/rafyrod787

ATH Móvil 787-628-4227

Venmo@Rafy-Rod

Cheques a Fundación el Plato Caliente

Calle 241 JK-21

Urb. Country Club

Carolina, PR 00982

 

Universidad Sin Fronteras

THE UNIVERSITY SIN FRONTERAS PUERTO RICO CAMPUS HAS CREATED A COMMUNITY FUND TO SUPPORT DIRECT RECOVERY EFFORTS, AND PROJECT SOUTH WILL ENSURE THAT 100% OF THE DOLLARS GO DIRECTLY TO THE GROUND. YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE

https://southernmovement.secure.force.com/pmtx/dn8n__SiteDonation?id=a1X46000001Be0D

 

Visit Rico

This org will distribute $1,500 for 3 consecutive months to 100 agroecological farmers and artisan food producers that will be distributed through the agricultural markets in which they participate. They are collaborating with all the coordinators of the following farmers' markets:

1.     Cooperativa Orgánica Madre Tierra

2.     Mercado Agrícola Natural Viejo San Juan

3.     Ponce Natural Agricultural Market

4.     Aguadilla Farmers Market

5.     Agroecological Market of Rincón

https://www.visitrico.org/pages/donate

 

Puerto Rico Recovery Fund via The Center for a New Economy

The Puerto Rico Recovery Fund will focus on three strategic and interrelated areas:

Addressing immediate humanitarian needs

Advocacy efforts in San Juan and Washington DC, to ensure maximum federal support and efficient resource coordination

Medium and long-term economic development with a focus on resiliency.

For more information and to donate: https://www.puertoricorecoveryfund.com/donate-now/

 

Caño Martín Peña Relief Fund

https://www.gofundme.com/cano-martin-pena-relief-fund

The 26,000 residents in the Caño Martín Peña communities live in a flooding-prone area in substandard housing. Many houses have been partly or completely destroyed during the hurricanes. Residents are now working with volunteers, architects and engineers, to rebuild the neighborhood in a way that can reduce their vulnerability and ensure equitable development.

 

The Puerto Rican Agenda: Project Pallets and Planes

https://www.generosity.com/emergencies-fundraising/3rs-for-puerto-rico-rescue-relief-rebuild

 

Comedores Sociales de Puerto Rico

https://www.cdpecpr.org/comedores-sociales-de-puerto-rico

 

Sustainable Farming Support: Organización Boricuá de Agricultura Ecológica de Puerto Rico

A 28-year-old grassroot organization that works and promotes agroecology within the food sovereignty struggle. Boricuá, is the official Chapter in Puerto Rico of the international peasant movement: La Vía Campesina (LVC)- Coordinadora Latinoamericana de Organizaciones del Campo (CLOC). Boricuá, is a network of peasants (campesinos/as), farmers, farm workers, educators and activists that are deeply involved in a national social justice movement that builds a sustainable agriculture platform for small and medium scale peasants and farmers. Recently hurricane María had a great impact in Puerto Rico. The country is completely classified as a disaster zone. All of the agriculture is gone. Even though ageoecology farms have been proven to be resilient, the impact of María was so strong that green landscapes and ecosystems in Puerto Rico are now brown with lots of fallen trees. So, we are asking anyone that can help to donate whatever you can to help our organization and peasant network bounce up again.

You can donate directly to the Organización Boricuá bank account, Banco Popular Account: #162039034 or by PayPal: organizacion.boricua@gmail.com

 

Acacia Network

http://donatepuertorico.com

 

Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico

tel: (787) 728-8500

http://www.fondosunidos.org/

 

Caritas Puerto Rico

tel: 787 300-4953 

https://www.caritas.org/where-caritas-work/latin-america/puerto-rico/

 

Fundación Comunitaria de Puerto Rico

tel: 787-721-1037

https://www.fcpr.org/

 

ConPRmetidos: Maria & Irma: Puerto Rico Real-time Recovery Fund

ConPRmetidos

tel: 787-773-1100

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

 

Güakiá Colectivo Agroecológico

https://www.facebook.com/guakiapr/

*We are in immediate need of food (fresh, prepared or canned) and drinking water (preferably water filters, specifically those used for camping). All this can be sent to:

FONDO RESILIENCIA PR

Calle Oneill #135,

Hato Rey, PR, 00918

*Donate seeds: non-gmo, nutritionally dense crops, fast growing, low maintenance, pest or disease resistant, and easy to save seed, in order to guarantee their continuous production.

*Donate machinery/equipment: farming tools, generators, chainsaws, wood chippers, solar equipment, 5gal. gas tanks (empty), etc.

All these larger items can be sent to:

PR RESILIENCY FUND

Calle Salva #657

Urb. Miramar

San Juan PR 00907

(preferred)

-or-

961 Bergen St, Apt 4B

Brooklyn, NY, 11216

*We will soon be launching a national circuit of work-parties to support our farmers. Stay in touch for more information.

 

La Corporación Piñones Se Integra (COPI)

http://www.copipr.com

 

Casa Pueblo de Adjuntas

www.casapueblo.org

 

Casa Protegida Julia de Burgos

https://www.facebook.com/casajuliapr/

 

Acciones Alimentarias

https://fondoderesilienciapuertorico.tumblr.com/materiales

 

Vieques en Rescate

www.viequesenrescateinc.com

 

Solar Libre

http://solarlibre.squarespace.com

 

Iniciativa Comunitaria

http://www.iniciativacomunitaria.org/

 

Americas for Conservation + the Arts

http://www.americasforconservation.org/mx-pr-resilience-fund

 

Agroecología en Puerto Rico

http://www.agroecologiapr.org/josco_bravo.htm

Donate: iank_organico@hotmail.com

 

Hurricane Maria Children's Relief Fund

https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9535647/k.A2B9/Hurricane_Maria_Childrens_Relief_Fund/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp

 

Animal Donations:

 

Animals of Culebra

https://www.gofundme.com/animals-of-culebra

 

Save a Gato

https://www.facebook.com/SaveAGato/photos/a.191642147528600.56883.173919355967546/2039442979415165/?type=3

PayPal : SaveAGatoPR@gmail.com

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EK2QUZU4AQYSL

 

2. Specific Items Urgently Needed in Particular Areas of PR

These communities are in DIRE need of water, food, generators. If you have something to offer and can do it directly, call María or the other numbers:
Villa Sin Miedo (Canóvanas),
Orlando Vellón 787-940-4755, 787-875-9190,
Lcda. María Hernández: 787-671-0308, 787-282-7775, 787-399-9423

Villa Esperanza (Toa Alta),
Org. Villa Esperanza : Tierra para Todos
villaesperanzatptinc@gmail.com
Jorge Olivo (pres)
Maritza Rosado (secretary)
Lcda. María Hernández: 787-671-0308, 787-282-7775, 787-399-9423

Parcelas Suárez (Loíza),
Alexis Correa Allende (rep): 787-206-8509, 787-256-2154
Lcda. María Hernández: 787-671-0308, 787-282-7775, 787-399-9423

Villa Cañona (Loíza),
Comité Pro-Villa Cañona
Rafael Rivera - 787-379-2938
Lcda. María Hernández: 787-671-0308, 787-282-7775, 787-399-9423

 

 

3. Local Drop Off Donation Locations

*NOTE: I do not know much about this doc, so please do your due diligence and look into the org/drop off location to ensure you feel comfortable donating there

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fyalhL8afPuAZ5gPbLI_oevEKGHXrJ7nYglMYY6O03s/edit?usp=sharing

 

4. For Volunteers/Para Voluntariado-

*note orgs ask that people not go to Puerto Rico to help on their own as they could create an additional burden

 

Centro Para el Desarrollo del Voluntariado

https://www.voluntariospuertorico.com/huracanmaria

 

Project Hope medical volunteers

http://volunteer.samaritan.com/recruiter/index.php?recruiterID=505&class=OppDetails&oppGuid=%7B2967653F-3B97-4308-8F14-FA4FFA0DAAA0%7D&t=Hurricane-Maria-Emergency-Response-Efforts

 

Puerto Rico Chapter: Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

http://prvoad.communityos.org/cms/irma

*volunteers interested in connecting with public services and disaster relief organizations.

 

Tech Help:

If you have coding, programming, or technical skills, Startups of Puerto Rico has opened a registry to connect with organizations or agencies with pressing needs in Puerto Rico.

This "inventory" of talent will be connected with opportunities to help develop support services or create and innovate new solutions.

 

Federal Employee Volunteer:

http://prfaa.pr.gov/federalscf/

If available, please send an email to surgecapacityforce@prfaa.pr.gov and include your name, federal agency, position, and location. Also indicate if you are fluent in Spanish, if you have an ICS qualification, and a background in law enforcement, military, search and rescue, or any other prior emergency response participation effort.

 

Center for Puerto Rican Studies Volunteers

https://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/centrovoices/current-affairs/volunteers-are-wanted-centros-disaster-recovery-clearinghouse