Recommendations to Support Hurricane and Flood Responses
Severe floods and hurricanes—intensified by climate change—have devastated communities around the globe in recent weeks.
To encourage the philanthropic response to these humanitarian disasters, we highly recommend the following organizations providing urgent aid and recovery support to affected communities—researched and vetted by our expert team.
During emergency response and recovery efforts, monetary donations to well-mobilized nonprofits make an immediate difference. All recommendations are registered 501(c)(3) organizations that accept contributions from individuals, foundations, and donor-advised funds.
United States
Center for Disaster Philanthropy – Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund
Organization Mission: The Center for Disaster Philanthropy leverages the power of philanthropy to mobilize a full range of resources that strengthen communities’ ability to withstand disasters and recover equitably when they occur.
Response Activities: The Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund is a perpetual fund, allowing CDP the most flexibility to respond to philanthropic and humanitarian needs as they arise, such as emergency basic needs, waste and debris removal, housing, economic and community development, health and behavioral health, government recovery assistance, and more. You can donate to the fund here and designate support for a specific storm (i.e. Fiona or Ian), if preferred.
Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition – Jackson, Mississippi
Organization Mission: The Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition is a collaboration of over 30 in-state partner organizations coordinated by their fiscal sponsor, People’s Advocacy Institute.
Response Activities: Rainfall of historic proportions have flooded Mississippi’s Pearl River, leaving 150,000 residents without clean drinking water. Due to deteriorating infrastructure in Jackson, safe water is not expected to flow from taps for at least a year. Funds will prioritize immediate water relief needs for affected communities. The Coalition has a $2 million goal to provide clean water to Jackson residents by transporting water, reusable water containers, water filters, and other essential items directly to households.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy – Central Appalachia
Response Activities: Across the Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia region, communities have faced bridge damage and collapse, major utility outages, and long-term damage to housing and critical infrastructure. Aid is currently focused on urgent basic needs and infrastructure repair.
Puerto Rico
Filantropía Puerto Rico
Organization Mission: Filantropía Puerto Rico is the island’s first philanthropy-serving organization, and its members include longstanding and prestigious Puerto Rican and US-based philanthropic organizations. The FORWARD Puerto Rico Fund was started in the aftermath of Hurricane María and has equitably addressed the layered crises in Puerto Rico for over five years.
Response Activities: The FORWARD Puerto Rico Fund supports the urgent response to Hurricane Fiona, which caused overflowing rivers, catastrophic rainfalls, and major mudslides that have left whole communities inaccessible. The country’s fragile power grid has shut down, causing an island-wide blackout that also left the majority of the population without access to clean water. Funds will focus on immediate relief to address basic needs, while supporting community organizations that contribute to a recovery process that is transparent, just, and equitable.
Pakistan
CARE
Organization Mission: CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. The organization has worked in Pakistan since 2005.
Response Activities: CARE ‘s crisis response in Pakistan prioritizes the needs of women, girls, and families. Approximately 15% of Pakistan’s population (~33 million people) have been affected and officials estimate it will take months for flood waters to recede. CARE is providing communities with essential items such as shelter, latrines, hygiene kits, cooking pots, and mosquito nets.