Guys, the first images of Irma’s level of devastation are coming out of Barbuda and it’s heartbreaking. The President of Barbuda says that 90% of the island is uninhabitable, upwards of 60% of the TOTAL population are now homeless because the hurricane destroyed virtually every building and home on the island, and that the estimated damage is valued at no less than $200 million dollars. That’s money a small island like that doesn’t have. They’re saying it’s going to take years to rebuild and Hurricane Jose is right behind Irma on the same path which means they could be hit twice. This is just one of the islands being affected.
Please, show up for the Caribbean like you did for Houston. There is no safety net for any of these islands including mine. They’ll rely entirely on foreign aid. Find local charities or global trustworthy charities (NOT the Red Cross) and make a donation asking them to aid the Caribbean. There’s whole countries being turned into rubble with no financial means to repair their infrastructures. They’re going to need help.
For the hundreds of people replying or in my inbox asking “Why not the Red Cross?!”:
Seriously, guess where I found all of those in two solid minutes of searching? Google. Even better, they didn’t charge me a penny for it.
Stop wanting things to be spoonfed to you. While you waited for someone to link you to sources, you could’ve done it yourself and already donated to people who desperately need it.
Because people are also asking where to donate instead of the Red Cross:
Habitat For Humanity [83% rating on Charity Navigator // Because with islands like Barbuda 90% destroyed and French St. Martin said to be 95% destroyed then people are going to need homes built]
Catholic Relief Services [90% rating on Charity Navigator // For those who would want to donate to a religious organization]
If there is a note or comments section on their donation page please do let them know that you would want your money to go to their Caribbean relief efforts. Houston and Florida have the US government backing them in whatever they will need but these islands will have very little except for these charities to fall back if they have any hope of rebuilding what seems to be entire countries in some cases. For the people who lost everything even a few bucks will go a long way.
For the most part I would suggest staying away from privately launched GoFundMes unless you know the person directly. Ultimately, you just never know where those funds are going to end up and if your money will be used wisely. Sure, the same can be said for charity organizations but at least there is a better shot at possibly helping through them. The five listed above are world known and have been studied by charity oversight organizations. It’s as close to perfect as we’re going to get.
Please donate if you can! [ Here’s ] a list of essentials to donate.
This’ll be queued on repeat for the next few hours.
I just want to add that UMCOR http://www.umcor.org/ had all the administrative costs already covered, so 100% of your donation goes to aide.
y’all hurricane irma IS the most powerful storm scientists have seen in over a decade and it’s already tearing through the carribean islands. they don’t have as much money and government help as the U.S does so Americans have to donate like hell to these islands. the islands that are currently being hit haven’t even responded to media outlets/ radios because that’s how fucking powerful it is. we already know the government is gonna do more to help the U.S but not so much with these islands. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas and other carribeans islands are going to get hit the worse. we need to stand by them, pray for them, and donate as soon as we get information about donation organizations that will help the carribean islands. they need this.
after 12 hours of no response, the Prime Minister of Barbuda has announced almost 100% of the island is destroyed. A lot of the other islands have yet to make a statement but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the same way for them too. 3 people are already dead and the death toll is expected to rise. don’t just care about these Caribbean islands when they’re good vacation spots and travel aesthetics. people LIVE on these islands, people go to school on these islands, people had futures on these islands and we should care about the destruction that is going on there like we would if it happened in the U.S
I’ve read about Direct Relief for a while and their work and core values are dedicated to transparency, non-discrimination, and fast response. If I have the wrong understanding of their organization please lmk but afaik their work is honest and helpful.
You can select which effort your donation goes to using the drop down menu, which I recommend as this post states, relief efforts to those affected by Irma are not going to get the same kind of resources as the areas of the US affected by Harvey
Antiguan (American) here!
Anyone looking to donate to relief efforts in Antigua and Barbuda, can donate here: abredcross.org/disaster/
(IIRC, the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross is an independent on-the-ground agency, not at all affiliated with the American Red Cross.)
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has also set up disaster relief bank accounts where you can wire funds: https://t.co/hQYkjmqEa3?amp=1
Comp zine coming up!! Luna Rio’s first issue will focus on creativity and fire. I need to print before I make it to SF next week, so the deadline is v short. So if this flows, pls go for it and send me your words/art to margotterc@gmail.com. This one is gonna get the heart, and I’d love to include more of us. Let me feel you 💐
Bring Helen back home because for the next couple of weeks, you’ll need your undivided attention directed here. On August 31st, we’ll begin applications from artists willing and wishing to see their own works in a printed, nonprofit mythology zine! The heroes of old may have been immortalized in the stars, but after a few phones calls to local and online publishers, we’ve determined that to be a bit expensive, so you’ll have to settle for paper.
Sound interesting? Want to stay in the loop and catch all the updates the moment they’re published? If this sounds like your desires right now, consider following us at this blog (@thepantheonpress) and reblogging this post. This one. The one you’re currently reading. All proceeds go to charity.
Unlike the Ancient Greeks and Romans, we will not be accepting clay pots painted to depict favorite battles and the occasional goat or two. You also don’t need to be a poet or playwright. Any SFW art form is accepted from prose to essay to digital art to photography. More specific rules to come soon. Now, be like everyone’s favorite messenger god, and spread the word!
(If you have any questions, feel free to message us @thepantheonpress, or email us at pantheonpressofficial@gmail.com)
My graphic novel Idle Days, written by Thomas Desaulniers Brousseau, is completed and its cover officially revealed! Can’t wait to see the real thing in 2018!
grocery stores with free samples, bakeries + stores with day-old bread
different fast food outlets have cheaper food and will generally let you hang out for a while.
some dollar stores carry food like cans of beans or fruit
SHELTER
Sleeping at beaches during the day is a good way to avoid suspicion and harassment
sleep with your bag strapped to you, so someone can’t steal it
Some churches offer short term residence
Find your nearest homeless shelter
Look for places that are open to the public
A large dumpster near a wall can often be moved so that flipping up the lids creates an angled shelter to stay dry
HYGIENE
A membership to the YMCA is usually only 10$, which has a shower, and sometimes laundry machines and lockers.
Public libraries have bathrooms you can use
Dollar stores carry low-end soaps and deodorant etc.
Wet wipes are all purpose and a life saver
Local beaches, go for a quick swim
Some truck stops have showers you can pay for
Staying clean is the best way to prevent disease, and potentially get a job to get back on your feet
Pack 7 pairs of socks/undies, 2 outfits, and one hooded rain jacket
OTHER
first aid kit
sunscreen
a travel alarm clock or watch
mylar emergency blanket
a backpack is a must
downgrade your cellphone to a pay as you go with top-up cards
sleeping bag
travel kit of toothbrush, hair brush/comb, mirror
swiss army knife
can opener
Reblog to literally save a life
if there is a Dollar Tree near you, they have entire food aisles
Planet Fitness also has $10 memberships. you can shower and they have free food days! pizza night 1st monday every month, bagel tuesday the 2nd tuesday every month.
this is very important!! i went through this and i literally didn’t know what to do and had to learn a lot the hard way. please take the time to read this!
tumblr backup 