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On May 20, during an already dangerous tornado season, a huge tornado touched down in the suburbs of Oklahoma City, cutting a swath of destruction two miles wide and more than 20 miles long. Relief efforts are already underway, finding survivors and beginning the cleanup process, even as more storms are expected in the coming days.
The following relief efforts are now underway. We will update this page as we learn more. Know of additional efforts? Let us know at webmaster@afpnet.org.
Donation/Support Efforts:
*American Red Cross – The Red Cross has set up shelters in various communities and is assisting with searching for missing relatives on the Red Cross Safe & Well’s site. To donate easily and quickly via mobile, text REDCROSS to 90999 and you will be prompted to reply YES for an automatic donation of $10. The Red Cross is requesting cash donations only.
*Salvation Army – The Salvation Army has organized efforts to send mobile kitchens to hard-hit areas in central Oklahoma and South Oklahoma City, serving meals to 2,500 people a day. Supporters can donate online via the organizations website, or text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation via mobile device.
*Feeding America – Feeding America will deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in need in Oklahoma, and plan to set up additional emergency food and supply distribution sites as they are needed. You can donate online here.
*Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief – The Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief will provide tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters—clothing is not needed. Monetary donations are requested—for more information and to donate, visit their website.
*United Way of Central Oklahoma – The United Way of Central Oklahomaactivated a disaster relief fund on May 21 so individuals could specifically donate to tornado relief-and-recovery efforts. Financial contributions are appreciated—you can give online here.
*Operation USA – Operation USA is readying essential material and aid—emergency, shelter and cleaning supplies—to help in Oklahoma’s community health organization and to help schools recover. You can donate online here, or via mobile by texting the word AID to 50555 ($10 will be added to your mobile bill).
*Convoy of Hope – Convoy of Hope is working to get food and water to those after the destruction has been cleared and the needs of Moore, Okla. have been assessed. You can donate here, or via crowd-sourcing method through HopeMob.
*Direct Relief – Direct Relief is preparing an emergency shipment of medical and personal hygiene items to help support the efforts in Oklahoma. They have received requests for emergency supplies, personal care and protection items—to donate, visit their website.
*DonorsChoose.org – DonorsChoose.org is creating a special online fund to collect donations for the teachers and schools of Moore, Okla., in the efforts to rebuild. DonorsChoose.org will work directly with the teachers of Moore to assess what they need in order to rebuild—from clothing for students to first-aid kits. To donate, visit their website.
*Samaritan’s Purse International Relief – Samaritan’s Purse mobilizes and equips volunteers to aid the victims. They are asking for volunteers to help with their response to the tornadoes in Moore and Shawnee, Okla. You can also donate on their website.
*Feed the Children – Feed the Children has mobilized and is sending supplies to families and children in need in Oklahoma. You can help their efforts by making a monetary donation through their website.
*Oklahoma Blood Institute – The Oklahoma Blood Institute is working to provide the injured with the blood they need. As the injured number goes up, so does the need for blood. The OBI team is specifically seeking O-negative and Rh-negative blood types. If you are local in Oklahoma you can donate here. Outside of the immediate area, please donate to your local blood bank to help replenish the national supply.
*The Humane Society of Central Oklahoma – The Oklahoma Humane Society is working with the city of Moore to assess and shelter animals affected by the storms. They are asking for monetary donations to help their efforts and will also update their page with volunteer and in-kind donations as they get a better grasp on the need for supplies, food and medical assistance. They are currently seeking towels, paper towels, bleach, gloves and crates. For updates and to make a donation, visit their website.
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| Hurricane Sandy - October 2012 |
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Hurricane Sandy is a massive, late-season tropical cyclone that has affected Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the southeastern and eastern United States. Sandy developed from an elongated tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea on October 22. It became a tropical depression, quickly strengthened, and was upgraded to a tropical storm six hours later. Sandy moved slowly northward toward the Greater Antilles and gradually strengthened. On October 24, Sandy was upgraded to a hurricane, shortly before making landfall in Jamaica. Sandy re-entered water and made its second landfall in Cuba during the early morning of October 25 as a Category 2 hurricane. During the late evening of October 25, Sandy weakened to Category 1 strength; in the early hours of October 26, it headed north through the Bahamas. Sandy briefly weakened to a tropical storm in the early morning hours of October 27, then restrengthened to a Category 1 hurricane later that morning. Just before 8 a.m. EDT on October 29, Sandy turned to the north-northwest and started to make its expected approach towards the U.S. coast. At 7 p.m. EDT that evening, Sandy was declared a post-tropical cyclone, while still maintaining Category 1 strength.] Sandy made its final landfall 5 miles southwest of Atlantic City, New Jersey at about 8 p.m. EDT on October 29. In the United States, Hurricane Sandy affected at least 24 states, from Florida to New England, with tropical storm force winds stretching far inland and mountain snows in West Virginia. The cyclone brought a destructive storm surge to New York City on the evening of October 29, flooding numerous streets, tunnels and subway lines in Lower Manhattan and other areas of the city and cutting off electricity in many parts of the city and its suburbs. Assessments are that it caused the most damage in New Jersey, especially in the communities along the Jersey Shore, most of which have had massive destruction. Early estimates suggest damage of at least $20 billion to $25 billion, which would rank Sandy among the top five most destructive hurricanes on record.
The following relief efforts are now underway. We will update this page as we learn more. Know of additional efforts? Let us know at webmaster@afpnet.org.
Donation/Support Efforts:
• The American Red Cross is helping those affected by Sandy. To donate, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
• Red Cross/Red Crescent in Haiti is responding to humanitarian needs there. With roads in much of the country impassable, the organization is conducting assessments of needs by air. The Red Cross is managing several shelters in the country and providing mental health assistance. Visit http://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/red-cross-red-crescent-haiti-responds-sandy-flooding.
• International Medical Corps has opened two mobile medical units in Haiti, addressing primary health care needs and increased cholera cases. It estimates there are 10,000 internally displaced persons staying in shelters. The organization also is raising a flag about concerns over food insecurity, with damage to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries throughout the country. Visit http://internationalmedicalcorps.org/page.aspx?pid=2443.
• Craig Newmark of craigconnects is using crowdrise.com to rasie funds for Hurricane Sandy relief. He will match the next $25,000 donated to help Hurricane Sandy relief effots.
• Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is encouraging Virginians to use the Virginian Disaster Relief Fund to help their fellow citizens recover from damaging Hurricane Sandy. To make a donation, visit https://payments.vi.virginia.gov/donatenow.
• Save the Children has launched a $1 million campaign to deploy immediate relief and provide for long-term recovery programs. With the organization’s focus on meeting the needs of children, the priorities will be restoring access to child care and other children’s services as well as helping children deal with loss. Visit http://www.savethechildren.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=8rKLIXMGIpI4E&b=7942601&ct=12324651.
• Catholic Charities USA is working with its local agencies to assess needs that Hurricane Sandy may create in their communities and has begun to provide immediate services. Visit http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/page.aspx?pid=2693.
• Hands on Network has begun registering volunteers to respond to the disaster as soon as it’s safe to do so. Visit http://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/handsondisasters.
• Feeding America has pre-positioned supplies in New Jersey and is prepared to distribute food, water, and supplies throughout the affected area. The organization estimates that 25-35 of its network of food banks have been affected by the storm. Visit http://feedingamerica.org/press-room/press-releases/hurricane-sandy.aspx.
• The Salvation Army has provided meals for those in shelters in six states and has activated numerous mobile canteens. In New Jersey, a mobile canteen has embedded with the state’s official search and rescue team and may deploy with them throughout the state. Visit http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/2012/10/29/the-salvation-army-begins-service-deployment-ahead-of-hurricane-sandy/.
• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) is working with state VOAD members and helping to coordinate on a regional, multi-state level. The organization also has posted two resource papers on its website, on providing food to infants and children in a disaster, and promoting the Disaster Distress Hotline. Visit http://www.nvoad.org/sandy.
• Church World Service is providing relief in both the Caribbean and US in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Visit http://www.churchworldservice.org/sandy.
• Episcopal Relief and Development has set up a Hurricane Sandy Response Fund to support the relief and recovery efforts of local partners in both the Caribbean and the US
• Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, Inc. is supporting NYC neighborhoods with emergency home repair assistance and loans. Visit http://www.nhsnyc.org/en/programs-and-services/emergency-home-repairs.
• ReliefWeb reported that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched preliminary emergency appeals for donations to help victims in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. Visit http://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/operation-usa-aid-hurricane-sandy-relief-efforts-cuba-and-haiti.
• Operation USA is taking donations online, by phone (800-678-7255) or via $10 text donation (text AID to 50555), with its efforts focusing on Cuba and Haiti. Visit http://www.opusa.org/.
• The Occupy Sandy Relief NYC group posted a list of items requested by the Coney Island Generation Gap, a youth mentorship group. Visit https://www.facebook.com/OccupySandyReliefNyc?ref=stream.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is providing ways to support veterans in the aftermath of Super Storm. Visit http://www.dav.org/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=653.
• United Policyholders, a non profit information resource and voice for insurance consumers in all 50 states, is distributing tools and tips to Sandy victims who need insurance claim help. UP has 20+ years of experience assisting disaster victims on the road to recovery - and the specific water damage/insurance challenges people are facing now. Visit http://www.uphelp.org/sandy.
• Lions Clubs International Foundation is mobilizing more than $200,000 to help Lions’ relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. Lions are meeting immediate needs by providing food, water, clothing, blankets, medical supplies and more to those in need. Visit https://www.lcif.org/EN/ways-to-give/lion-disaster-donation.php.
Information and Articles:
• The AFP Disaster Relief Blog provides a continuous updates on the latest Hurricane Sandy relief news and information.
• Hurricane Sandy Speaks: Blog in the "voice" of Sandy - provides scientific analysis and tracking of the hurricane and its effects
• AT&T and T-Mobile have signed a roaming deal that lets their customers in New York and New Jersey make calls on which ever network is strongest in their area. The deal helps customers who are struggling with poor service in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. http://gigaom.com/mobile/att-and-t-mobile-strike-roaming-pact-to-improve-service-after-sandy/.
• Do's and Don'ts of Helping During a Disaster - About.com
• Global Advice on How to Cope, Recover and Rebuild (International Herald Tribune)
News:
• Lawmaker Wants To Create “New York State Natural Disaster Relief Fund”s (Albany Watch - 12/3/2012).
• App Manages Disaster Relief (Altoona Mirror - 12/3/2012).
• Sandy’s Challenge for Grant Makers: Fix Water, Food, and Transit Systems (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 11/28/2012).
• Sandy Fundraising by Charities to Be Tracked by New York (Bloomberg News - 11/27/2012).
• Sandy Adds to N.Y.’s Burden on Housing and Hunger (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 11/21/2012).
• Five Steps to Successful Crisis Communications (Beth's Blog - 11/19/2012).
• Sandy’s Lesson: Today’s Relief System Doesn’t Work for the Vulnerable (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 11/19/2012).
• With Recovers.org, Two Sisters Revolutionize Disaster Relief (Huffington Post - 11/16/2012).
• How Does Hurricane Sandy Fundraising Compare to Other Disasters? (npENGAGE - 11/16/2012).
• 6 Innovative Fundraising Campaigns for Sandy Relief (Mashable - 11/12/2012).
• Red Cross pushes back on Sandy response, calls it 'near flawless' (U.S. News - 11/12/2012).
• Update: Charities Raise More Than $174-Million for Sandy Victims (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 11/12/2012).
• Occupy Sandy: Onetime Protesters Find New Cause (AP/ABC News - 11/10/2012).
• Verizon Won't Charge Sandy Victims for Calls and Texts During Storm (Mashable - 11/8/2012).
• Will Sandy Destroy Fundraising? (Association Bisnow (DC) - 11/8/2012).
• Volunteers Heart of Relief (The Asbury Park Press - 11/8/2012).
• Fundraisers Respond Faster and Smarter With Each Relief Effort (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 11/6/2012).
• One Week On, Sandy Still Disrupts, But Volunteers Innovate (Fast Company - 11/5/2012).
• SBA Loans For Nonprofit Operations (The NonProfit Times - 11/2/2012).
• Toyota Donates $1 Million to Support Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts (Sacramento Bee - 11/1/2012).
• Superstorm-Relief Donations From Companies and Individuals (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 10/31/2012).
• The Other Hurricane Sandy: The Storm's Impact in Haiti (The Atlantic - 10/31/2012).
• Red Cross Raises $11-Million in Sandy Relief Efforts (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 10/31/2012).
• Charities Scramble to Raise Money After Sandy Hits (Chronicle of Philanthropy - 10/31/2012).
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| Hurricane Isaac - August 2012 |
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Hurricane Isaac developed from a tropical wave located east of the Lesser Antilles on August 21, strengthening into a tropical storm later that day. Isaac passed over Hispaniola and Cuba as a strong tropical storm, killing at least 29 people, as it entered the Gulf of Mexico. Isaac reached hurricane strength the morning of August 28. The storm made its first U.S. landfall the evening of August 28 near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The storm dissipated on August 31. The following relief efforts are now underway. We will update this page as we learn more. Know of additional efforts? Let us know at webmaster@afpnet.org.
Donation/Support Efforts:
• The American Red Cross is helping those affected by Isaac. To donate, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
• While Isaac has downgraded to a Tropical Storm, it continues to affect many Gulf Coast communities--with prolonged, heavy rainfall, severe flooding, and damaging winds. Network for Good is maintaining a list of organizations providing relief and long-term recovery to this region - seee it and make a donation at: http://www1.networkforgood.org/hurricaneisaac.
• Razoo also provides a rolling list of groups involved in relief efforts, as well as other ways to do outreach and inform others. Visit http://www.razoo.com/p/isaac-relief for more information.
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| Disaster Relief Organizations |
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| Fundraising Resources |
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• Disaster Response Checklist Available at No Cost to Nonprofits, Donors & Governments
Doing more measurable good and no harm with disaster response dollars is a challenge amid the chaos and confusion following a disaster. Now available is a practical Checklist for well considered planning, implementation, evaluation and training. It's based on debriefings and on the literature of what works and what doesn't.
• "Lessons Learned from Haiti" - Free Web Seminar Series on Rapid Response Fundraising
Blackbaud, Inc. is offering a free web seminar series to help nonprofits build strategies for mobilizing, soliciting, and stewarding supporters during and after times of disaster. Blackbaud nonprofit experts and partners developed the seminars based on their work with nonprofits that are involved in Haiti relief efforts. The free series, entitled "Lessons Learned from Haiti," includes five seminars that will kick-off on March 11 and will continue through May.
• "Planning Disaster: The Role of Philanthropy in Anticipating and Responding"
This past October, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and the McCormick Foundation Conference Series convened an invitational summit on philanthropy and disaster relief. The summit brought together 32 of the nation’s leading experts from key nonprofits, foundations, government organizations, corporations, and news organizations to candidly discuss how best to strengthen the philanthropic preparation for and response to disasters.
• Disaster Relief - Resources for Charities and Contributors
In the aftermath of a disaster or in other emergency hardship situations, individuals, employers and corporations often are interested in providing assistance to victims through a charitable organization. The IRS provides a number of resources to help those involved in providing disaster relief through charities. (IRS.gov)
• Red Cross’ Innovative Communications Response
I wanted to tip my hat to the American Red Cross for its immediate and creative communications strategy on the situation in Haiti and fundraising for relief efforts. (Nancy E. Schwartz – Getting Attention blog)
• Message From Steve Gunderson, President and CEO, Council on Foundations
“Let us know how you are assisting—whether directly to Haiti, through a partner organization or through those in your local communities—so we can share the information with others in our field.”
• The DOs and DON'Ts of Disaster Donations
Good intentions sometimes are not enough. This article offers an honest conversation about the impact of aid.
• Why People Give During Disasters
The perceived credibility of a disaster-relief organization matters quite a bit, according to a recent study by researchers at the University of Twente in The Netherlands.
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| Social Media |
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• Please follow the AFP Disaster Relief Blog for all releif efforts and developments worldwide.
• The ONE Blog has comprehensive updates on the situation.
• Updated information and general ways to help during disasters can be found at USAID.
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