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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| How to help people affected by storm Harvey | How to help people affected by storm Harvey |
| (10 days later) | |
| A number of Americans both close to Texas and far away from it would like to help those suffering in the wake of catastrophic tropical storm Harvey. Many agencies and charities are involved in relief efforts and a limited number of the main participants are mentioned below. The US government has warned people to be careful when choosing recipients for donations and to be cautious of potential charity scams or email hacks and “malicious cyber activity”. | A number of Americans both close to Texas and far away from it would like to help those suffering in the wake of catastrophic tropical storm Harvey. Many agencies and charities are involved in relief efforts and a limited number of the main participants are mentioned below. The US government has warned people to be careful when choosing recipients for donations and to be cautious of potential charity scams or email hacks and “malicious cyber activity”. |
| The Federal Trade Commission has issued advice for the public under the topic “wise giving in the wake of Hurricane Harvey”. Their tips include: “Don’t assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate.” | The Federal Trade Commission has issued advice for the public under the topic “wise giving in the wake of Hurricane Harvey”. Their tips include: “Don’t assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate.” |
| At least one online scam has already been exposed when a false phone number was published purporting to connect people to the National Guard, and was shared widely on social media. The National Guard itself issued a warning on Twitter. | At least one online scam has already been exposed when a false phone number was published purporting to connect people to the National Guard, and was shared widely on social media. The National Guard itself issued a warning on Twitter. |
| Central channel in Houston | Central channel in Houston |
| One of the main channels for donations has been set up by the mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, in response to questions about where people could send help. He has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to accept donations for victims of the storm and subsequent flooding. The fund has been created under the umbrella of the Greater Houston Community Foundation. | One of the main channels for donations has been set up by the mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, in response to questions about where people could send help. He has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to accept donations for victims of the storm and subsequent flooding. The fund has been created under the umbrella of the Greater Houston Community Foundation. |
| Special relief funds | Special relief funds |
| One of the largest nonprofits in the Houston area, the United Way Relief Fund, has launched a special relief fund to help those hit by the storm. It works with partner organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army in times of catastrophe. United Way works with people experiencing life crises with causes ranging from job loss to domestic violence to natural disasters. | One of the largest nonprofits in the Houston area, the United Way Relief Fund, has launched a special relief fund to help those hit by the storm. It works with partner organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army in times of catastrophe. United Way works with people experiencing life crises with causes ranging from job loss to domestic violence to natural disasters. |
| The American Red Cross is one of the main charities on the frontline. It is trying to supply enough cots and basic facilities to help victims of Harvey at emergency accommodation shelters and out in the field, as well as coordinating with other relief providers and city and state agencies. The organization is appealing for people to donate cash but also advises on giving blood. | The American Red Cross is one of the main charities on the frontline. It is trying to supply enough cots and basic facilities to help victims of Harvey at emergency accommodation shelters and out in the field, as well as coordinating with other relief providers and city and state agencies. The organization is appealing for people to donate cash but also advises on giving blood. |
| Crowdfunding | Crowdfunding |
| The charity crowdfunding site Global Giving has set the goal of raising $2m to be dedicated to disaster relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Harvey. | The charity crowdfunding site Global Giving has set the goal of raising $2m to be dedicated to disaster relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Harvey. |
| Food banks | Food banks |
| Food banks in the region are operating at full tilt, delivering food and drinking water to shelters accommodating flood refugees. Robin Cadle, chief executive of the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, in Victoria, said that those wishing to help locally often choose to bring in food, and this is welcome. But she said that monetary donations were easier for the organization to deal with and could be stretched further than edible gifts. Victoria has escaped flooding so far, but is likely to be inundated tomorrow and there are power supply problems. “If we didn’t have our huge generator, we would not be functioning,” said Cadle. She expects to continue operating through any local flooding and is coordinating with other food banks, state agencies and rescue services in the region. | Food banks in the region are operating at full tilt, delivering food and drinking water to shelters accommodating flood refugees. Robin Cadle, chief executive of the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, in Victoria, said that those wishing to help locally often choose to bring in food, and this is welcome. But she said that monetary donations were easier for the organization to deal with and could be stretched further than edible gifts. Victoria has escaped flooding so far, but is likely to be inundated tomorrow and there are power supply problems. “If we didn’t have our huge generator, we would not be functioning,” said Cadle. She expects to continue operating through any local flooding and is coordinating with other food banks, state agencies and rescue services in the region. |
| Feeding Texas, a nonprofit network working with food banks in the state, has issued a list of food banks likely affected by Harvey and its aftermath. | Feeding Texas, a nonprofit network working with food banks in the state, has issued a list of food banks likely affected by Harvey and its aftermath. |
| Homelessness | Homelessness |
| The Houston Coalition for Homeless is taking donations and giving advice about emergency shelters. | The Houston Coalition for Homeless is taking donations and giving advice about emergency shelters. |
| Animals | Animals |
| The SPCA of Texas is involved in evacuating stranded or abandoned pets affected by Harvey and is also giving advice on pet-friendly accommodation in the Dallas-Forth Worth area for people fleeing north from the storm. | The SPCA of Texas is involved in evacuating stranded or abandoned pets affected by Harvey and is also giving advice on pet-friendly accommodation in the Dallas-Forth Worth area for people fleeing north from the storm. |