Global Disaster Response

Community foundations play an essential role in disaster relief and recovery in other parts of the world. As the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts strives to sustain the strength of our region, we remain open to monitoring opportunities in which we might provide donors information to assist in their support of our global community. Below is information gathered from other community foundations and nonprofits to assist in this effort.

TURKEY & SYRIA

To assist in urgent and long-term recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria, please consider making a gift to:

• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy, which in close collaboration with partners has established the CDP Turkey & Syria Earthquake Recovery Fund to support earthquake-affected families and communities as they work to rebuild and recover.
• The Turkish Red Crescent, the largest humanitarian organization in Turkey and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent.
• The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), a global medical relief organization providing urgent medical care to the injured at Bab Al Hawa hospital among others.
• The Children’s Emergency Fund administered by Save the Children enables the organization to respond to natural disaster crises around the world.

PUERTO RICO AND NEIGHBORING ISLANDS

To assist in medium- and long-term recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, please consider making a gift to:

• DAF Advisors desiring to support Hurricane Fiona Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico and neighboring islands can submit a donor recommendation with CFWM.
• The Center of Disaster Philanthropy has established the Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund to support initiatives that prioritize communities devastated by Atlantic hurricanes, especially those facing systemic barriers to equitable recovery.
• Donate to support the Puerto Rico Community Foundation’s Fiona Hurricane: Community Recovery Fund for Puerto Rico.
• Donate to support Hispanics for Philanthropy which has established the Fiona Response Fund to help funnel resources to organizations on the ground providing immediate relief services.
• Global Giving has also established the Hurricane Fiona Relief Fund.

UKRAINE

To assist in medium- and long-term recovery efforts in Ukraine, please consider making a gift to:

• DAF Advisors desiring to support efforts addressing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine can submit a donor recommendation with CFWM.
  
• The Center of Disaster Philanthropy has established the Ukraine Humanitarian Disaster Recovery Fund to support efforts.
  
• The Council on Foundations and the U.S. State Department hosted an urgent discussion on how philanthropy can best support the humanitarian response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This session provided an opportunity for foundations and philanthropies to share what efforts are already underway and to discuss how the sector can coordinate and collaborate together to address the humanitarian needs that are growing by the day.
  
• Donate to support HIAS’ Ukraine crisis response. HIAS is building partnerships with Jewish community organizations and others in neighboring countries, including Poland and Moldova, to provide assistance to meet the needs of refugees.

SOUTHERN U.S.

To assist in the hurricane relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi, please consider making a gift to:

Louisiana

• Baton Rouge Area Foundation – Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund
• Greater New Orleans Foundation – Disaster Response and Restoration Fun
• The Community Foundation of Acadiana also has three relief funds:
  Acadiana Disaster Response Fund provides immediate relief to Acadiana residents affected parish, state, or federally declared natural disasters.
  Realtor Association of Acadiana Disaster Relief Fund was created after the hurricanes in 2008 as a proactive measure, so that funds will be available in the event of another declared disaster.
  St. Martin Parish Disaster Relief Fund is an endowment fund that helps parish residents recover after a disaster has occurred. 50 percent of all contributions are used to build an endowment, so the funds are available immediately following a disaster.

Mississippi

• Community Foundation for Mississippi – Mississippi Community Response & Recovery Fund

HAITI

To assist Haitian organizations involved in earthquake relief efforts, and organizations supporting refugees including asylum seekers facing violence at the US/Mexico border, please consider making a gift to:

•  Ayiti Community Trust
• The Boston Foundation’s Haiti Earthquake 2021 Fund
• Haitian Bridge Alliance  
• Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees
• UndocuBlack 
• BAJI  
• World Central Kitchen

AFGHANISTAN

To assist in supporting Afghan refugees in our region, please consider making a gift to:

• Ascentria Care Alliance
• Catholic Charities
• Jewish Family Services of Western Mass