SPRING UPDATE: MARCH - MAY 2019
1.1M+
LIVES IMPACTED
57K+
VOLUNTEERS
144
VOLUNTEER NATIONALITIES
106
DISASTER PROGRAMS
18 256 109K+ 96¢
COUNTRIES SERVED
SCHOOLS COMPLETED
It’s Been a Busy Few Months! In the United States, we conducted ground assessments of the floods in California and Nebraska, completed rapid responses for the tornadoes in Alabama and Missouri and launched a flood response program in Oklahoma. When a disaster strikes, our Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART) begins the ground assessment in the affected area. First and foremost, we connect with local officials, leaders and partners to better understand the situation. If the communities’ unmet needs align with our skillset, we determine whether to launch a rapid response (2-3 weeks of field work to help with immediate clean up efforts) or, where local resources are overwhelmed and underserved communities are identified, and a longer timeline is warranted, a 2-3+
CHILDREN BACK TO SCHOOL
month response program.
OF EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON OUR PROGRAMS
More to come with the 2019 Hurricane Season We’re preparing for the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June-November. “The outlook calls for a total of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. This is slightly above the 30-year average.” according to The Weather Company, an IBM Business, prediction.
Top U.S. Charity
allhandsandhearts.org
We have been awarded a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator five years in a row, placing us in the top 10% of all non-profits evaluated for financial and operational efficiency
Puerto Rico Hurricane Recovery We’ve surpassed 160,000 volunteer hours in Puerto Rico, completing 1,200+ jobs to help more than 680 families — and there is still a tremendous need. Petra Nemcova, AHAH Co-founder, spoke about this at the 2019 Milken Conference, “In Puerto Rico, we have enough volunteers but the funding is not there, and it has been heartbreaking.” AHAH volunteers putting the final touches on a new roof in Puerto Rico
Mexico Earthquake Recovery We started another school rebuild next door to our current project in Oaxaca and we’re strengthening the resilience of the community with Disaster Risk Reduction training. "...All I can say is thank you. All these [volunteers] come from different parts of the world. They leave behind their work, their lives, their families to come and help. Teaching can be difficult, but with effort, the kids can really get ahead." - Penelope Cruz, a teacher from Celso Munoz Primary School AHAH volunteers unloading supplies in Oaxaca
Mozambique Tropical Cyclone Response Our assessment team met with the Ministry of Education, among others, to gain situational awareness and explore potential partnership opportunities. We are continuing discussions with local contacts to gain clarity around key challenges and determine how we can best support recovery efforts. Community members constructed a temporary learning space for students until safer classrooms can be provided
North Carolina Hurricane Recovery We’re filling the immediate and unmet needs of families struggling to recover. WNCT highlighted our work on the home of Bertha Smith's mother, which was flooded with a foot of water following Hurricane Florence. “The person that lives here is 90 years old. She wants to get back into her house and we’re going to have that happen.” - AHAH volunteer Bertha Smith seeing the progress on her mother’s home with Mary Wilder, a long-time AHAH staff member
Florida Hurricane Response Hurricane Michael was recently upgraded to a Category 5 by the NOAA’s National Hurricane Center — the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle. The road to recovery will be long and we continue to be one of the few, if not only, organizations filling the immediate and unmet needs for muck and gut, mold sanitation, debris removal and item salvage. Destruction from Hurricane Michael is still evident throughout the Panhandle
Texas Hurricane Recovery “I’ve found a community that allows me to have a meaningful impact on an area with a high need, surrounded by some of the most motivated people I've ever met. I've never felt so appreciated or supported by a community.” said Marc Tan, former Site Supervisor in Coastal Bend, Texas. With the help of Marc and many more amazing volunteers, we’ve surpassed 220,000 volunteer hours in Texas! This quarter alone we’ve completed 22 home rebuilds. Marc and a volunteer measuring cuts for a home project in Texas
U.S. Virgin Islands Hurricane Recovery We wrapped our St. Thomas program completing 549 homes and 29 schools or community buildings — meaning your support helped more than 12% of residents on the island. We’re continuing work in St. John. For a resident named Thalia, we were her last hope. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to get the help," Thalia remembers. "There were tears in my eyes knowing someone was finally coming to help me...I’m very, very pleased with the work and grateful to each and every one of them.” Home and roof rebuild in St. Thomas
Nepal Earthquake Recovery This quarter, we opened three schools — Jana Jagriti, Saraswati and Shree Ma Vi. Each structure was rebuilt in a disaster resilient manner, new WASH stations were constructed to help with sanitation and two received new playgrounds. We also celebrated four years of impact in Nepal! Thanks to our incredible staff, volunteers, donors and partners we’ve now completed 21 schools (impacting 5,354 children) and multiple community-led projects that have supported thousands of families. After the monsoon season, this October, we’ll be returning to do even more! Jana Jagriti school rebuild
development@allhandsandhearts.org