Last Tuesday, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Puerto Rico which already was struggling to rebuild after the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017. This has resulted in widespread structural damage to buildings and initial  power outages. There were also reports that some did not have water service. While power has been restored to most areas, Puerto Rico is still receiving significant aftershocks including a significant quake that took place this past Saturday. As reported in the New York Times, Tuesday’s earthquake resulted in an estimated $110 million in damages.

A number of charitable organizations are working to help those impacted by this quake and, in some instances, groups have been working in Puerto Rico since Maria struck two years ago. BBB Wise Giving Alliance recommends contributing to experienced organizations that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, particularly in the wake of disasters. Newly established entities may be well-intentioned but may not have the skills and infrastructure to provide immediate help. Visit Give.org to access reports on these and other charities.

In regards to postings appearing on crowdfunding sites, BBB WGA cautions potential contributors to carefully consider the site’s terms and procedures to find out whether there has been any vetting of posted requests, if the posts clearly describe the intended use for funds, and what processing fees may be subtracted by the site when donations are made. Also, don’t assume pictures of victims appearing in a posted request are used with permission of the respective families.

United States-based charities. There are a number of U.S. based charities that are accepting funding to address the earthquake in Puerto Rico. In the following list, the first link connects with a page on the charities website that describes its activities in Puerto Rico, the second links directly to a report that shows the charity is BBB Accredited (i.e., meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.)

American Red Cross (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Americares (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Brother’s Brother Foundation (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Direct Relief (a BBB Accredited Charity)
GlobalGiving (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Heart to Heart International (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Hispanic Federation (a BBB Accredited Charity)
International Medical Corps (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Islamic Relief USA (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Mercy Corps (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Salvation Army (a BBB Accredited Charity)
Save the Children (a BBB Accredited Charity)
United Methodist Committee on Relief (a BBB Accredited Charity)

Canadian-based charities:  If you are considering donating to a Canadian-based charity, there is a list of Registered Charities provided by the Government of Canada, which can be found here. While the registration with this government agency does not mean the government is recommending or endorsing the charity, it does signify that the group has filed the appropriate paperwork with this agency.