Israel

On Saturday, October 7th, Gunmen from the terrorist organization Hamas rampaged through Israeli towns leading to a declaration of war from Israel. As of October 10th, more than 1000 Israeli people have been killed by Hamas. The attack on October 7th is by far the deadliest day of violence in Israel since the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago. Over 800 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel’s response. The impact on civilians in both countries will be significant.

Afghanistan

On Saturday, October 7th, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck 25 miles west of Herat city in the western Herat province – the third largest in Afghanistan. The Afghani Authorities report that over 2,400 people have died and over 2,000 are injured.

Morocco

On Friday, September 9th, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco. The epicenter was in the High Atlas Mountains near an area that’s home to some 840,000 people. Roads are blocked with debris and the mountainous terrain is hindering rescuers. Reports from Moroccan Authorities state at least 2,012 people have been killed and over 2,059 injured, many of them seriously injured.

Libya

Parts of eastern Libya have been hit by devastating flooding in recent days after storm Daniel hit the country’s Mediterranean coast. As a result of this storm, two dams in the port city of Derna collapsed causing more destruction. As of September 18th, there are reports of over 11,000 deaths and more than 10,000 still missing.

Hawaii

On August 8th, the State of Hawaii declared a state of emergency as a series of wildfires broke out. These wildfires have been primarily affecting Maui and have caused the death of 115 people with over 100 still missing.

Florida

Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Keaton Beach in late August as a high-end Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph. The system remained a hurricane as it crossed into Georgia with top winds of 90 mph. It weakened to a tropical storm by late Wednesday afternoon, and its winds had dropped to 60 mph by Wednesday night.

How Can I Help?

Organizations Who Need Your Support

Here is a list of organizations that are asking for assistance to help those who have been affected by these natural disasters.

Israel

• International Committee of the Red Cross is an impartial, neutral, and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other violence situations and to provide them with assistance.
• Doctors without Borders – Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural and human-made disasters, and exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries.
• Save the Children Fund – Save the Children is an international, NGO that was founded in the UK in 1919, with the goal of helping improve the lives of children worldwide. The organization helps to raise money to improve children’s lives by creating better educational opportunities, better health care, and improved economic opportunities.

Afghanistan

• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – The children’s agency of the United Nations is collecting donations to support its on-the-ground relief efforts. Its website says it will provide “shelter, safe water, medical care, protection and psychosocial support.”
• Islamic Relief – A Muslim NGO founded in the UK in 1984 by doctors and activists dedicated to disaster response. Islamic Relief is on the ground responding to the disaster. Our Islamic Relief Afghanistan Health team based in Herat has traveled to the earthquake-affected area to provide primary health assistance and conduct needs assessments.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization working to save lives, protect rights, and build a better future for refugees, internally displaced communities, and stateless people. They will provide emergency shelter support to 700 families, including 640 tents, blankets, and other needed items for those affected by the earthquakes in Afghanistan.

Morocco

• Moroccan Red Crescent Society (MRCS) – In coordination with the International Federation of Red Cross, the MRCS says it has rescue teams on the ground to assist with first aid, psychosocial support, and transporting the injured to hospitals.
• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) – The children’s agency of the United Nations is collecting donations to support its on-the-ground relief efforts. Its website says it will be providing, “shelter, safe water, medical care, protection and psychosocial support.”
• Doctors Without Borders / Medecins Sans Frontieres – The global network of medical professionals that activates in crisis areas says while it doesn’t have a dedicated presence in Morocco, it is working with local agencies to offer its support in treating earthquake survivors.

Libya

• International Rescue Committee works in more than 40 countries and in 28 U.S. cities to help people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives.
• International Committee of the Red Cross is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.
• World Food Program is on the ground delivering immediate food assistance to the Libyan people affected by the catastrophic floods.

Hawaii

• The American Red Cross of Hawaii is currently accepting monetary donations to support its normal operations, including disaster preparedness and response.
• Maui United Way Provides direct relief to families and nonprofits
• Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui.
• Our Kupuna:  An organization dedicated to supporting elderly communities in Hawaii, Our Kupuna coordinates deliveries of necessities to vulnerable individuals.

Florida

• Florida Disaster Fund – This fund is part of the Volunteer Florida Foundation, the state’s charitable organization that supports volunteerism, community service, and disaster recovery.
• American Red Cross – Please select Hurricane Idalia from the drop-down
• Mercy Chefs – This organization is accepting donations to support its efforts to provide thousands of meals to people harmed by the storm, and to emergency workers helping with the response.