How to Help After Hurricane Laura

Footage of Hurricane Laura’s destructive power in Louisiana and Texas is heartbreaking. The category 4 storm is reported as one of the most powerful and destructive storms to ever hit the United States. As more footage is released of the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, we’re left asking, “What can we do to help?”

If you want to contribute to Hurricane Laura relief efforts, here are some options for you:

Support the First Responders

Some major nonprofits have already deployed help Louisiana and Texas, and many others are preparing to offer relief. The American Red Cross mobilized in the Gulf Coast ahead of the impact to help community leaders prepare. They’re now aiding in the post-impact relief efforts, and they’re asking for donations to help. You can make a gift here. The International Medical Corps is also preparing to deploy to Louisiana and Texas, bringing much-needed supplies and offering healthcare to residents. You can support their efforts here. You can also support Heart to Heart International, which is preparing to deploy relief efforts across areas in the US affected by Laura. You can support them here.

Find the Helpers

Supporting nonprofits in their hurricane relief efforts helps tremendously with the relief effort. However, donors should take the time to make sure their support goes to legitimate relief organizations. Verify that the nonprofit you’re giving to is legitimate and trustworthy by searching for them on sites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or TEOS (tax-exempt organization search).

No matter how devastating a storm is, there are always people waiting to help. Already, several nonprofits in our area (in Central Florida) are preparing to shuttle food, medicine, building materials, and other supplies to Louisiana and Texas. If you want to support a smaller nonprofit, here are some great options.

• SOL Relief Aviation is a Florida-based organization that is flying to the rescue. They have a base of volunteer pilots who can  fly supplies into Louisiana and Texas, and their small aircraft can get in and out of the area more easily than large planes. They’re collecting financial gifts as well as much-needed supplies; you can donate on this page.
• ALAN (American Logistics Aid Network) is preparing to distribute supplies in areas affected by Laura now that it has made landfall in the United States. You can support them by donating financially here or keeping an eye on their requests here.
• Global Giving’s Disaster Recovery Network Hurricane Laura Relief Fund is dedicated exclusively to helping communities recover from Hurricane Laura. They’re working toward raising $3,000,000 for the cause. You can learn more and donate here.
• Convoy of Hope is an international humanitarian relief organization that focuses, in part, on disaster relief. You can donate financially or with Amazon!
• Save the Children is working to provide safety for children in the southeast United States. They’re raising money to provide assistance to vulnerable children and their families in affected areas. You can donate here!
• Team Rubicon is an international organization dedicated to disaster response, and they’re actively raising money for Hurricane Laura relief. They deploy volunteers to disaster-stricken areas where they’ll provide relief to those who need it most. Learn more about their Hurricane Laura preparedness plan (and donate!) right over here.
• Rotary Club District 6840 has established a Hurricane Laura Relief Fund to serve communities within their district that were affected by Hurricane Laura. You can donate here!
• Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization active in all 50 states and 80 countries. Learn more and donate to their Hurricane Laura response efforts here.
• Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is a local community foundation requesting funds to support recovery efforts in their community. Learn more about how they’re using the Hurricane Relief and Recovery Fund to help those hardest hit by their communities and donate here.
• Houston Food Bank is collecting food and supplies to send to partner sites to aid in Hurricane Laura relief. Learn more and contribute to their Hurricane Laura Disaster Relief effort here.

Give People a Place to Stay

Airbnb operates an “Open Homes Program.” People can offer their available living spaces for free housing to people displaced by disasters and to disaster relief workers who are involved in recovery. Keeping social distancing in mind, if you’re interested in opening a vacant property or rental to people who need a safe place to stay (or if you know someone who needs a place to stay), check out this Airbnb page.

Keep an Eye on This Page for Updates

As more and more nonprofits mobilize to send relief, supplies, and aid to those affected by Hurricane Laura, we’ll update this list.