How You Can Help Volcano Victims

How You Can Help Volcano Victims Want to donate to help people affected by the eruptions in Hawaii and Guatemala? Here are groups providing assistance

By Julie Sheer June 11, 2018 Volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and Guatemala have destroyed homes and displaced thousands of residents. About 600 homes have been destroyed by lava flows from Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island. Flows of lava and ash from an eruption of Guatemala’s Fuego volcano have killed more than 100 people, and several towns have been destroyed. Here are some ways to donate or volunteer to help people displaced by the eruptions.

Hawaii Volcano Hawaii Community Foundation. The foundation is taking online donations and is partnering with several funds to assist with recovery efforts in support of communities affected by the eruption.

AT&T customers can donate $10 to the foundation by texting VOLCANO to 50555. Info Hawaii Food Basket. The Hawaii-based food bank is accepting online monetary donations to be used for food, water, supplies and disaster relief operations. Info Catholic Charities Hawaii. Donations for a temporary housing fund for displaced residents are being collected by mail, online and by calling 808-527-4820. Info Salvation Army. A location distribution center has been set up in Pahoa and volunteers are needed to distribute items. You can make an online monetary donation to Salvation Army Hawaii to support those affected by the eruption or you can call 808-756-0306. Info American Red Cross. You can make donations by calling 800-REDCROSS or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also make a donation online. Info Global Giving. The nonprofit is taking donations via Facebook’s Crisis Response Hub to help people displaced by volcanic activity in Hawaii. Info GoFundMe. Various online campaigns are devoted to victims of the eruption. Info

Guatemala Volcano Global Giving. Online donations fund relief in the form of emergency supplies and longer-term recovery assistance. Info Catholic Relief Services. The organization is working with local churches to help evacuated families and is taking donations online. Info Children’s Hunger Fund. This faith-based nonprofit is accepting financial donations to be used for disaster relief. Info International Relief Teams. Funds are providing rescue workers with basic necessities and relief supplies. They’re taking monetary donations online or by checks mailed to the organization. Info World Vision. The Christian humanitarian organization is providing food and water to shelters housing residents who lost their homes. They’re taking monetary donations online. Info American Red Cross. The group is taking donations via an online form, which can be mailed or given to your local American Red Cross chapter, and also over the phone. Info Cruz Roja Guatemalteca is the Guatemalan arm of the Red Cross and is accepting monetary donations via money transfer.

God’s Child Project. This North Dakota-based nondenominational charity opened an emergency shelter and is taking donations online or by mail. Info HELPS International. The group is distributing water filters to displaced families and is collecting donations online. Info

Care International. The group is helping provide shelter, clean drinking water and food with online donations. Info Oxfam America. The nonprofit is focusing on supplying drinking water to volcano victims and is taking donations online. Info Rotary Club of Guatemala. The organization is accepting, via wire transfer, donations for a relief fund to provide housing. Info GoFundMe. A list of campaigns is directing aid to those affected by the volcano. Info Note: Use caution when making disaster-aid donations to other, lesser-known organizations.

Sites such as Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org can help you be sure a group is legitimate.