Since Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas, Irma swept across the Florida Keys and along the Gulf Coast, earthquakes struck Mexico and most recently Hurricane Maria’s devastation throughout Puerto Rico, individuals and groups are coming together to support relief and recovery efforts.
In the wake of Mexico’s deadliest earthquake in 32 years, corporations in Mexico, the United States and other countries are pledging donations to help the victims cope with the disaster. The 7.1 magnitude earthquake left more than 40 buildings destroyed, left hundreds dead (220 in Mexico City alone) and more than 6,000 injured.
TREMEC’s parent company, Grupo KUO, based in Mexico City, took quick action to assist in the relief and humanitarian efforts.
The company coordinated collection centers for each of its consumer, chemical and automotive business units. The “Solidarity Campaign” collected truck loads of food, water, hygiene supplies and other goods to aid the relief effort.
Roughly $400,000 (7 million Mexican pesos) has been donated to the Carlos Slim Foundation by the executive president of KUO and the businesses that comprise the multinational firm. The foundation pledged a matching donation of 5 pesos (about 30 cents) for every peso donated by the public. The money donated will go to rebuilding schools, hospitals and homes in the areas affected by the earthquake.
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, KUO provided portable lighting systems to illuminate rescue sites and delivered medical supplies for treating survivors.
Another immediate response was the organizing of multiple 10-15 person teams to assist at local shelters and aid stations. The teams partnered with World Vision Mexico – a humanitarian organization whose mission is working with the poor and oppressed.
Social responsibility is a fundamental part KUO’s business strategy and culture – with actions to promote social, environmental and economic development. The 2017 Corporate Volunteering program will be dedicated to the attention of this disaster, including a new campaign for the collection of food and medical supply donations.
Mexico Earthquake Relief Donations
Individuals and businesses, both Mexican and international, have come forward with pledges of millions of dollars in donations to aid victims of the massive September 19th earthquake.
Rescue, volunteer and emergency aid organizations in Mexico include UNICEF Mexico and UNICEF U.S.A., the Mexican Red Cross and Brigada de Rescate Topos, a local disaster relief volunteer organization.
Donations to the Carlos Slim Foundation are set up internally in Mexico. Donations are being received under the name Fundación Carlos Slim.
Telmex landline users can dial *5566 and charge their telephone account for contributions of 100, 200, 300 and 500 pesos.
Telcel mobile phone users on a monthly contract can also charge their account for the same amounts by sending a text message to the number 55666.
You’re likely to hear about charities in the news or on crowdfunding sites including GoFundMe.com and JustGiving. But in some cases, it’s hard to know whether a fundraising campaign is legitimate or whether the funds you donate will be used in the way you expect.
Make Your Donation Go Further
To improve the chances your donation will be put to the best use, follow these tips.
Research how your donation will be spent. Following a disaster, three charity watchdogs, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch, often publish lists of highly rated groups active in a particular emergency and likely to use donations wisely. Most of these lists focus on major national charities, but you also might find some local charities.
The watchdogs evaluate charities based on many factors, including how much donated money is directly used for their charitable programs as opposed to covering the costs of fundraising and general expenses.