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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):
- 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)
- 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)
- Local Specific-Item Donation Efforts on the U.S. Mainland
- 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
Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico
tel: (787) 728-8500
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
ConPRmetidos: Maria & Irma: Puerto Rico Real-time Recovery Fund
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)
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
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
Animal Donations:
Animals of Culebra
https://www.gofundme.com/animals-of-culebra
Save a Gato
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
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