Hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides. Lately it seems that each new week brings fresh heartache in the form of a natural disaster. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria — along with two devastating earthquakes in Mexico — have taken lives, ruined property and upended plans for millions.
Over time, we have not only found our favorite places, but we’ve found our favorite people.
For Andrew Harper and those who travel with us, these events hit home. As we discover new places and properties in the world, we inevitably develop our favorites — the ones we go back to time and time again. We know the sound of water lapping on a beloved beach, or the welcoming laugh and easy friendship of a staff member or property owner. Over time, we have not only found our favorite places, but we’ve found our favorite people.
While we reach out to partners far and wide to learn how they and their properties are faring, the Andrew Harper team has given its time and resources to help those affected transition back to the lives they once knew. If you would like to donate, Charity Navigator has compiled lists of highly rated charities for and Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey relief. It also lists disaster relief organizations that can use donated points and miles to send teams to affected areas and provide travel for medical emergencies.
We’ve built our own list of vetted charities that are more local in nature, as they often know best where money and supplies are needed most.
The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, and County Judge Ed Emmett have established a 501(c)(3) organization to provide flood relief to victims.
Give here: Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
As the official repository for relief funds, the Rockport Chamber of Commerce has already raised more than $350,000 of its stated goal of $500,000 to fund rebuilding and clean-up efforts.
Give here: Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce
Feeding South Florida is providing meals to the hungry, as many Keys residents are still without fuel, electricity and running water.
Give here: Feeding South Florida
A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck the central coast of Mexico on September 7, killing at least 98 and damaging 41,000 buildings. Then on September 19, a magnitude 7.1 struck 75 miles southeast of Mexico City. While it was less intense, the fact that it struck in a more populous area has made it more deadly. Right now, as the situation unfolds, the death toll stands at 200 with 44 buildings having been leveled.
Give here: Red Cross Mexico, Unicef Mexico, Oxfam Mexico or Save the Children Mexico.
The chairman of Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, who owns Necker Island in the BVI, has been instrumental in setting up relief flights to the islands and creating a fund to support BVI communities.
Give here: Virgin Unite
Retired NBA player Tim Duncan, who was raised on St. Croix and experienced Hurricane Hugo as a teen, started a crowd-funding page on the site YouCaring. So far, he has raised more than $2.3 million.
Give here: 21 US Virgin Island Relief Fund
Puerto Rico's first lady, Beatriz Rosselló, created Unidos Por Puerto Rico to provide aid and support to Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria. The storm made landfall there as a Category 4 — the first Cat. 4 to hit the U.S. territory since 1932 — and knocked out power to 100 percent of the island.
Give here: Unidos Por Puerto Rico
The Dominica High Commission, which "defends and promotes the interests of Dominica" within the United Kingdom, has set up a crowdfunding site to gather monies to supply basic needs after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. Its goal is to raise £5,000,000.
Give here: Dominica Hurricane Maria Relief
The American University of Antigua has created the Barduda Relief Fund to go toward relief and recovery efforts. All donations will be matched by the university. The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross is also accepting donations.
Give here: The Barbuda Relief Fund or the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross.
The Dutch Red Cross estimates that 70 to 90 percent of the buildings on the Dutch side of the island have been damaged and 30 percent destroyed; 15 people have died on the island, and as of September 12, 200 people were missing. International Christian aid group Samaritan’s Purse has been on the ground since September 8 delivering more than 87 tons of supplies.
Give here: Dutch Red Cross or Samaritan’s Purse.
Anguilla saw 70 percent of its buildings damaged during the storm. Many residents have been without basic necessities and many homes are without roofs. The British government has been criticized for being slow to respond. The Four Seasons, the largest private employer on the island, says it is six months from reopening.
Give here: Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
This exclusive French territory was hit hard during Hurricane Irma. Cleanup efforts have begun, roadways are open and so is the airport, but it will take time to recover. The commodore of the Gustavia Yacht Club and owner of EasyJet, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has created a fund to provide financial help. The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation was the first to donate €100,000.
Make wire transfers here:
The Gustavia Yacht Club, St Barts – Hurricane IRMA Disaster Relief Fund
Bank : CFM Indosuez Monaco
IBAN: MC58 1273 9000 7005 8612 1000 071
BIC: CFMOMCMXXXX
Or visit the GoFundMe Help St. Barth Recover From Irma page, which has raised more than $70,000 for chainsaws, generators and humanitarian aid.
While many islands in the Caribbean were affected, it's important to remember that a good portion of the residents rely on the tourism industry for their livelihoods. The chief executive officer of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Frank Comito, reminds us that 70 percent of the Caribbean has not been affected and is still open for business.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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