Do you want to donate money to earthquake relief in Mexico, but not sure where to start?
A magnitude 7.1 quake struck the heart of Mexico on September 19 toppling dozens of buildings, broke gas mains and sparked fires less than two weeks after another powerful quake killed at least 98 people in southern Mexico. It also hit just hours after emergency drills marked the anniversary of a temblor that killed thousands in 1985.
Millions of people fled into the streets, where they weathered the violent shaking and desperately sought word about the welfare of family and friends.
Emergency personnel in Mexico City, a metropolitan region of about 20 million people, searched frantically with picks and shovels for survivors beneath the rubble of what the sprawling city’s mayor calculated to be as many as 44 collapsed buildings, including at least one primary school.
The need for help will continue, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to donate for a disaster in another country, here are some tips for donating to earthquake relief online.
Topos Mexico is a well-known non-profit rescue brigade that was established after the earthquake of 1985 in Mexico. They do a lot of good work and a good place to easily send money using paypal. Send money to Paypal: [email protected]
Mexican Red Cross has been accepting direct donations online and has set up an Amazon Wish List for necessary items.
Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, has staff members in Mexico City and has pledged that 100 percent of its donations will go directly to relief efforts, which it says will include facilitating the delivery of medical supplies to affected areas.
GlobalGiving, a crowdfunding organization, has pledged that all money donated to its earthquake fund will go to recovery and relief efforts.
Fondo Unido Mexico, part of the United Way network, has created an emergency fund to help the areas affected by the earthquakes as well as the recent series of hurricanes.
Are you in Puerto Vallarta and want to drop off items at collection centers? DIF collection centers will be open until September 24. The collection centers are located in the central offices of DIF System, Paseo Las Palmas Avenue, neighborhood Barrio Santa Maria; municipal presidency; Municipal Administrative Unit (UMA); in the offices of the four municipal delegations (Las Palmas, Ixtapa, Las Juntas and Pitillal), as well as the Plaza Caracol shopping center (in front of the Soriana boxes).
