USVI HURRICANE UPDATE - ST. THOMAS & ST. JOHN (JULY 2018)
DISASTER PROFILE On September 6, 2017 Hurricane Irma slammed into the US Virgin Islands as a Category 5 storm, with record wind speed of 200 mph. The islands suffered severe wind and flood damage, reducing many areas to rubble. In light of the almost total devastation, All Hands and Hearts sent a Rapid Response Team to the islands. Less than two weeks later, the team was evacuated due to Hurricane Maria, which struck the islands on September 20 as a Category 4 storm. OUR RESPONSE Thanks to critical support from partners like Norwegian Cruise Lines, donors, local community, and volunteers from around the world, All Hands and Hearts - Smart Response has run an impactful program on St. Thomas since September 27th, 2017 and St. John since February 16th, 2018. We have responded to the outcry for help with debris removal, mucking and gutting, mold sanitization, and minor repairs on homes and schools throughout the community. CURRENT ACTIVITIES As we continue our response work (mucking, gutting and sanitizing), we have also completed two schools and are continuing school repair in the USVI. Volunteers travel to job sites each morning and return each evening to our base for a nightly meeting recapping the day and sharing memorable moments. With 20 - 50 volunteers on base at one time, over 26 nationalities have been represented since September. We have made a long-term commitment to help the USVI recover and our work is just beginning.
Volunteers assemble in a firing line to remove debris during a muck and gut at homeowner Wanda’s house. The roof was ripped off and the interior completely destroyed. Over a few days the volunteers cleared all the debris from the home to begin sanitization.
A Volunteer removes pieces of CGI roofing during a muck and gut. In just a day volunteers removed the moldy and badly damaged roof. The panels had been peeled back like aluminum cans by the storm. The extent of muck and gut work can be seen here.
OUR IMPACT
5,979
PEOPLE ASSISTED
1,108
JOBS COMPLETED
931
VOLUNTEERS
17,961
VOLUNTEER DAYS
Remaining Resilient George Hodge’s sleeping quarters. Mr. Hodge has been sleeping underneath the foundation of his home since hurricanes Irma and Maria, due to the significant damage done to his home. The storms left him with many exposed areas of the home from holes in the roof; the ground beneath the home is the only dry area. George navigates his home extremely well despite his inability to see.
HOMEOWNER HIGHLIGHTS “I planted all my own trees There’s one I call miracle tree I’ve cut it down six times or more and it always grows back stronger.” -George Hodge
OUR MISSION To effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. By listening to local people, and deploying a unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, we rebuild safe, resilient schools, homes and other community infrastructure.
OUR PARTNERS
4 YEARS IN A ROW! Only 13% of charities have received at least 4 consecutive 4-star ratings. This means All Hands and Hearts outperforms most of the other 1.5 million charities in America in operational and financial efficiency.
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For additional information: Olivia Hara, Partnership Manager olivia.h2@allhandsandhearts.org or (413) 992-9263 www.allhandsandhearts.org