Some estimates are that Hurricane Dorian inflicted $7 billion worth of damage on the island chain of the Bahamas. Thousands of people are homeless, others are trapped on the outer islands and reaching them and catering to their needs is proving to be a logistical nightmare for the Bahamas government.
Aiding organizations and countries including the United States, Britain, China and Cuba have or are sending medical supplies, food, water and an assortment of items that survivors need.
The call has been made for individuals and organization to respond generously to this humanitarian crisis. A number of national and international organizations have stepped up, many that individuals can made donations to. Recovery will take years but Bahamas needs help now.
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These organizations have already stepped in with money, food, medicine and other essentials or are in the process of doing so:
• World Central Kitchen, which is the means by which world renowned chef and restaurateur José Andrés feeds the victims of natural disasters, has already set up kitchens and is preparing between 10,000 and 20,000 meals and other food to people in the areas ravaged by the storm.
• Bahamas Red Cross seeks bedding, baby supplies, non-perishables and cleaning products that staff will distribute to the areas most affected by the hurricane. BRC officials encourage the use of the hashtag #HelpUsHelp to create awareness. According to Refinery 29’s Sarah Midkiff, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have so far contributed 250,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to supplement funding for the first wave of the Bahamas Red Cross.
• Team Rubicon Disaster Response is a group of British military veterans who are first responders offering their help in international disaster relief. Members of the non-profit supports organizations, offer resources and engage in activities ranging from clearing debris, rebuilding houses and organizing sizable groups of volunteers. They are already in the Bahamas and have volunteers and others on standby to go into affected areas when it’s safe.
• Bahamas Relief is calling on people to donate goods for immediate disaster relief, including: toiletries, diapers, canned goods, cleaning supplies, tents, water, and power generators.
• UNICEF teams are working with the government and other U.N. agencies to ease the devastating impact on the tens of thousands of children and families whose homes and communities have been leveled. UNICEF water and sanitation experts along with emergency and child protection specialists are now on the ground in the Bahamas, assessing the needs and planning the response. According to the U.N., an estimated 75,000 people urgently need food, water and shelter.
• The Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF) is an organization founded by Rihanna in 2012 that supports education and emergency response programs across the globe. The organization has created two emergency response grants to help victims of Hurricane Dorian. One grant will support Andres’ World Central Kitchen, whose team has been on the ground in the Bahamas since Sept. 3, supplying food to those affected by the storm. CLF’s second grant aims to fund Direct Relief’s medical aid efforts, which will help connect victims with medical professionals in order to receive acute and long-term care.
• International Medical Corps is a worldwide humanitarian nonprofit focusing on emergency responders and early relief efforts. They will also be delivering health care supplies and deploying medical teams.
• Bethenny Frankel’s BStrong missions is gearing up to provide aid to Dorian survivors. The organization will be providing crucial supplies and immediate medical support and helping to evacuate those who weren’t able to leave their homes before the storm. She said on Twitter, “the damage is incomprehensible, and thanks to you, our warehouse is filling up and we are working to send 2k lbs of relief to Sandy Point in South Abacos, Florida tomorrow.”