How to Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Ian
Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Hurricane Ian hit Cuba on Tuesday, leaving the entire country without power and killing at least two people. As of Thursday, Ian had traveled across Southwest Florida causing further destruction and at least 2.6 million power outages.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Ian will be “rated as one of the five worst hurricanes to ever hit the Florida peninsula,” and predicted it could take years to recover from the damage. Storm surges and rapid coastal flooding were expected to rise as much as 18 feet above the ground — an unprecedented rate for Florida’s west coast. The hurricane also reached sustained winds of 150 miles per hour.
In Florida, first responders are struggling to reach those stranded in record-breaking floods, and two bridges connecting Florida’s barrier islands to the mainland have been destroyed. Today, President Biden said there were early reports suggesting “what could be a significant loss of life.”
Ian is currently a tropical storm and is expected to travel to South Carolina and Georgia next, with South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia all declaring states of emergency. Across Cuba and Florida, first responders and residents are dealing with the effects of Ian. This hurricane comes shortly after Hurricane Fiona devastated Puerto Rico.
If you can, here are organizations accepting donations to help:
- Dream Defenders, a Florida organization led by a young BIPOC whose work ranges from advocating prison reform to teaching Black history, is currently accepting items such as water and first aid kits, monetary donations and volunteers.
- Core coordinates with local organizations in Florida to provide assistance. They accept donations.
- Donate to the Florida Disaster Fund, Florida’s official private fund for Florida communities in times of need or disaster.
- Global Giving accepts donations to provide food, emergency supplies and more throughout Cuba and Florida.
- roots of hopea non-profit Cuban youth organization, raises funds to help Cuban families.
- The People’s Forum, a New York movement incubator for the working class and marginalized communities, is raising funds for Cuba.
- Direct Relief has sent emergency and medical supplies to Cuba and Florida. They accept donations.
- Central Florida Mutual Aid is accepting donations.
- Disaster Relief at Work supports recovery efforts in Florida. They accept monetary donations and supplies.
- Convoy of Hope delivers relief supplies in Florida (and Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona). They accept donations.
- Feeding America is helping bring food to those affected by the storm. Donate to their disaster relief fund.
- Babycycle, a diaper bank, is accepting donations to send supplies to Florida.