[This is an update of the original post dated 10/31/12 and includes new information and resources]

Since October 29, 2012, flooding and strongs winds from Hurricane Sandy have:

• Left over 100 people dead;
• Destroyed homes, leaving hundreds of thousands without homes and shelter;
• Caused power outages, leaving millions without electricity, heat, and water;
• Brought affected communities and regions to a standstill and the road to recovery and rebuilding will be long, costly, and difficult.
• Additionally, a Nor’easter currently hitting the Northeastern US will hamper rescue and relief efforts and may bring further devastation to the region.

In this post you can find information relating to the effects of the storm, how to give, and a list of recommended organizations you can donate to and volunteer with.

What You Should Know Before You Give

• After disaster strikes, the aftermath is broken down into 3 separate phases: Rescue, Relief, and Recovery & Rebuilding.
• Governments and multinational bodies are usually best equipped and poised to handle the first two phases of the aftermath.
• Although directing donations to targeted relief efforts can be effective and important, the Recovery & Rebuilding phase is where individuals can make a big difference in helping communities over the long-term. This third phase of the aftermath is critical to full recovery but is also often the most overlooked and under-resourced. Artists and fans can help ensure that donors and organizations remain engaged in these areas and that the spotlight does not turn away as news turns to other stories and disasters.
• If you can, don’t make a donation to the rescue and relief efforts immediately, but set aside an amount you would like to give. Hold off on giving your donation until the effects and impact of the disaster are clearer, what the long-term implications are, and what will be needed for the affected regions to recover and rebuild. Donations given in a few weeks will go have a greater impact and will go towards efforts that are making a difference.
• If you would like to make a donation now, ATC has set up the ATC Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund to collect donations that will be set aside for the Recovery & Rebuilding phase. 100% of all donations (minus PayPal fees) will be regranted in the coming weeks to organizations that we have fully vetted and that are doing the most effective work in helping communities recover.

New York and New Jersey have been deeply affected by Hurricane Sandy with flooding, fires, structural damage, shortages of food, clean water, and gas, and other devastation. The Nor’easter currently hitting the Northeastern US has brought heavy winds, cold, and snow, setting back relief efforts in many areas. Below you can find organizations that we have found to be doing important and life-changing work in these communities since the hurricane hit.

While much of the media’s attention (and inevitably the rescue and relief efforts) has been focused on the destruction that Hurricane Sandy has caused in the northeastern United States, it is important to not let the spotlight move away from the lasting impact that the storm has left in the western Caribbean, notably Haiti.

Though the storm has affected millions of people in the United States, the US government is better equipped and able to respond swiftly and comprehensively to the storm and to set upon the road to recovery and rebuilding. However, the governments in places such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic do not have the resources, personnel, capacity, and budget necessary for addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Support from the international community will have great impact in these countries in both the short- and long-term. Many of the aid organizations in Haiti are focusing their efforts on preventing another outbreak of cholera, preventing a food shortage, and aiding the hundreds of thousands of victims who have been living in tented cities as a result of the 2010 earthquake.

What You Can Do Now

• If you are an artist who has been affected by Hurricane Sandy, please check out the artist emergency resources on Culture Bot.
• If you would like to make a donation now, ATC has set up the ATC Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund to collect donations that will be set aside for the Recovery & Rebuilding phase. 100% of all donations (minus PayPal fees) will be regranted to organizations that we have vetted and will be used at a time when they will have the greatest impact on helping affected communities recover. Or, you can donate to one or more of the organizations below.

Donate to Organizations for Haiti

• Oxfam America has mobilized staff and resources to work with communities and local organizations in Haiti to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy. The organization is asking for donations to assist with short-term and long-term aid for Haitians, particularly focusing on preventing an outbreak of cholera and other waterborne illnesses.
• The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has had a presence in Haiti for many years with a solid reputation for doing effective work there. Their established infrastructure on the ground, highly trained personnel, and ability to provide aid to a high volume of victims makes them a reliable and credible organization to donate funds to for Hurricane Sandy relief. You can choose to donate funds directly or to designate what type of emergency response supplies your donation will be used for. IRC is specifically seeking to prevent a cholera outbreak and food shortage.
• Partners in Health is continuing its work in Haiti to help the victims to recover and are focusing their efforts on preventing another cholera outbreak in the country. You can donate funds to their relief effort, and a supporter of the organization has offered to match all donations to fight cholera up to $20,000. Donations will help keep Haitians healthy and taken care of in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Donate to or Volunteer with Organizations in the Northeastern US

If you are in the Northeastern US and would like to help, here are some resources:

• InterOccupy has been keeping people informed of what is needed for relief and where and how people can volunteer in both NY & NJ. Visit the InterOccupy Sandy hub to find InterOccupy sites in areas affected by Sandy with specific needs and ways to help. If you would like text updates for InterOccupy Sandy, you can text @occupysandy to 23559. InterOccupy Sandy has also created an Occupy Sandy Wedding Registry through Amazon.com where you can find items that are needed for the effort and information on where to ship them.
• New York Blood Center is asking for people to donate blood to be used to help save the lives of those injured in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. They are down 6000+ units of blood due to the Hurricane and have a particular need for platelet and O negative donors. Their site has information for where you can find locations to give blood, donate funds, and volunteer with their organization to lend a hand during the rescue and relief phases of the aftermath.
• NYC Service is an organization that can match you with organizations in New York City that are assisting with the rescue and relief efforts there. Fill out the form on their website and you will be contacted to be placed with an organization that needs your help and your skills.
• Team Rubicon “unites the skills and experience of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations”. Not only is Team Rubicon providing exceptional relief in areas hit by Superstorm Sandy, they also give veterans an opportunity to continue the work that they were trained to do in the military. For their Sandy relief work, Team Rubicon has partnered with community members, federal and state officials, and other veteran organizations. Check out their blog for updates and photos from their relief work.
• Waves for Water is an organization that focuses on bringing relief, supplies and continued support to the Eastern seaboard through the rebuilding process. Waves for Water has announced a three stage Hurricane Sandy Relief Initiative beginning with first response, rubble removal, and rebuilding and is continually updating field reports of what is happening on the ground.
• The New York City Food Truck Association (with JetBlue‘s support) has delivered $20,000 in meals to people in need and followed up with an indiegogo campaign to keep the food deliveries going out to those in need. They exceeded their goal and are now directing interested donors to donate to the Mayor’s Fund where you can ask for your donation to be earmarked for food truck emergency outreach.

ATC will continue to monitor the situation, including the effects of the nor’easter hitting the Northeastern US, and consult with our philanthropy and aid experts (including advisors in disaster philanthropy and relief work) so that we can advise further in the coming days and weeks. Please contact  for support and strategy on how you can help the Hurricane Sandy effort.

In the meantime, to keep updated on domestic and international responses, our colleagues at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy have detailed information on the latest developments and ways to help. According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, $116.2 million has already been raised to aid regions affected by Hurricane Sandy.